The xi Books of the Golden Ass, containing the Metamorphosy of Lucius Apuleius, interlaced with sundry pleasant and delectable Tales, with an excellent Narration of the Marriage of Cupid and Psyche's, set out in the four v. and vj. Books.  
Translated out of Latin into English by William Adlington.  
Imprinted at London in Fleetstreate, at the sign of the Oliphante, by Henry Wykes. Anno. 1566.   

To the right Honourable, and Mighty Lord, Thomas, Earl of Sussex, Viscont Fitzwaltre, Lord of Egremont and of Burnell, Knight of the most noble Order of the Garter, justice of the forests and Chases, from Trent sowthwarde, and captain of the Gentlemen Pensioners, of the house of the Queen out Sovereign Lady.  
AFter that I had taken upon me (right Honourable) in manner of that unlearned and foolish poet Cherillus, (who rashly, and unadvisedly, wrote a big volume in verses of the gests and valiant prowess of Alexander the great) to translate this present book, containing the Metamorphosy of Lucius Apuleius: being moved thereunto by the right pleasant pastime, and delectable matter therein: I eftsoons consulted with myself, to whom I might best offer so pleasant and worthy a work, devised by the Author, it being now barbarously and simply framed in our English tongue. And after long deliberation had, your Honourable Lordship came to my remembrance, a man much more worthy then to whom so homely and rude a translation should be presented. But when I again remembered the jesting and sportful matter of the book unfit to be offered to any man of gravity and wisdom, I was wholly determined to make no Epistle dedicatory at all: till as now of late, persuaded thereunto by my friends, I have boldly enterprised to offer the same to your Lordship, who as I trust will with no less good will accept the same, then if it did entreat of some serious & lofty matter, considering that although the matter therein seem very light, and merry, yet the effect thereof tendeth to a good and virtuous moral, as in the following Epistle to the Reader may be clearly perceived. For so hath all writers in times passed employed their travel and labours, that their posterity might receive some fruitful profit by the same. And therefore the poets feigned not their fables in vain, considering that children in time of their first studies, are much alured thereby to proceed to more grave and deep disciplines, whereas otherwise their minds would quickly loath the wise and prudent works of learned men, wherein in such unripe years they take no spark of delectation at all. And not only that profit arriseth to children by such feigned fables, but also the virtues of men are covertly thereby commended, and their vices discommended and abhorred. For by the fable of Actaeon, where it is feigned, that when he saw Diana washing herself in a well, he was immediately turned into a heart and so was slain of his own Dogs: may be meant that when a man casteth his eyes, on the vain and soon vading beauty of the world, consenting thereto in his mind, he seemeth to be turned into a brute beast, and so to be slain through the inordinate desire of his own affects. By Tantalus that standeth in the midst of the flood Eridan having before him a tree laden with pleasant apples, he being nevertheless always thirsty and hungry, betokeneth the insatiable desire of covetous persons. The Fables of Atreus, Thyestes', Tereus and Progne signifieth the wicked and abominable facts wrought and attempted by mortal men. The fall of Icarus is an example to proud and arrogant persons that weeneth to climb up to the Heavens. By Midas, who obtained of Bacchus that all things which he touched mought be Gold, is carped the foul sin of avarice. By Phaeton, that unskilfully took in hand to rule the Chariot of the Sun, are represented those persons which attempt things passing their power and capacity. By Castor and Pollux, turned into a sign in Heaven called Gemini, is signified, that virtuous and godly persons shallbe rewarded after life with perpetual bliss. And in this fable or feigned jest of Lucius Apuleius is comprehended a figure of man's life, ministering moste sweet and delectable matter, to such as shallbe desirous to Read the same. The which if your Honourable Lordship shall accept and take in good part, I shall not only think my small travel and labour well employed, but also receive a farther comfort to attempt some more serious matter which may be more acceptable to your Lordship: desiring the same, to excuse my rash and ●olde enterprise, at this time, as I nothing doubt in your lordships goodness. To whom I beseech Almighty God to impart long life with increase of much Honour.  
From University College in Oxford the xviij of September. 1566. Your honours most bounden William Adlington.   

To the Reader.  
WHen that I had (gentle Reader) slightly hear & there run over the pleasant and delectable jests of Lucius Apuleius (a man of ancient descent, & endued with singular learning) written in such a frank & flourishing style, as he seemed to have the Muses always at will, to feed and maintain his pen: And when again I perceived the matter to minister such exceeding plenty of mirth, as never (in my judgement) the like hath been showed by any other, I purposed according to my slender knowledge (though it were rudely, and far disagreeing from the fine and excellent doings now a days) to translate the same into our vulgar tongue, to the end, that amongst so many sage and serious works (as every man wellnigh, endeavour daily to increase) there might be some fresh and pleasant matter, to recreate the minds of the Readers withal. Howbeit I was eftsoons driven from my purpose by two causes: First, perceiving that the Author had written his work in so dark and high a style, in so strange and absurd words, and in such new invented phrases, as he seemed rather to set it forth, to show his magnifency of prose, then to participate his doings to other: Secondly, fearing lest the translation of this present book (which seemeth a mere jest and fable, and a work worthy to be laughed at, by reason of the vanity of the Author, might be contemned & despised of all men, and so consequently, I to be had in derision, to occupy myself in such frivolous and trifling toys: but on the other side, when I had thoroughly learned the intent of the Author, and the purpose why he invented so sportful a jest: I was verily persuaded, that my small travel, should not only be accepted of many, but the matter itself allowed, & praised of all. Wherefore I intent (God willing) as nigh as I can, to utter and open the meaning thereof to the simple and ignorant, whereby they may not take the same, as a thing only to jest and laugh at (for the Fables of Esope, & the feigninge of poets, wear never written for that purpose) but by the pleasantness thereof, be rather induced to the knowledge of their present estate, and thereby transform themselves into the right and perfect shape of men. The argument of the book is: How Lucius Apuleius the Author himself, traveled into Thessaly (being a region in Grece, where all the women for the most part, be such wonderful witches, that they can transform men into the figure of beasts) where after he had continued a few days, by the mighty force of a violent confection, he was changed into a miserable Ass, and nothing might reduce him to his wont shape, but the eating of a Rose, which after endurance of infinite sorrow, at length he obtained by prayer. Verily under the wrap of this transformation, is taxed the life of mortal men, when as we suffer our minds so to be drowned in the sensual lusts of the flesh, and the beastly pleasure thereof: (which aptly may be called, the violent confection of witches) that we lose wholly the use of reason and virtue (which properly should be in man) & play the parts of bruit and savage beasts. By like occasion we read how divers of the companions of Ulysses, wear turned by the marvelous power of Circe, into Swine. And find we not in the Scripture, that Nabuchodonoser the ninth King of Babylon, by reason of his great dominions and roialmes, fell into such exceeding pride, that he was suddenly transformed of almighty God, into an horrible monster, having the head of an Ox, the feet of a Bear, and the tail of a Lion, and did eat hay as a beast? But as Lucius Apuleius was changed into his humane shape by a Rose, the companions of Ulysses by great intercession, and Nabuchodonoser by the continual prayers of Daniel, whereby they knew themselves, and lived after a good & virtuous life: So can we never be restored to the right figure of ourselves, except we taste and eat the sweet Rose of reason and virtue, which the rather by mediation of prayer, we may assuredly attain. Again, may not the meaning of this work, be altered & turned in this sort. A man desirous to apply his mind to some excellent art, or given to the study of any of the sciences, at the first appeareth to himself an Ass without wit, without knowledge, & not much unlike a bruit beast, till such time as by much pain and travel, he hath achieved to the perfectness of the same, & tasting the sweet flower and fruit of his studies, doth think himself well brought to the right and very shape of a man. Finally, the Metamorphosy of L. Apuleius, may be resembled to youth without discretion, and his reduction, to age possessed with wisdom and virtue. Now since this book of Lucius, is a figure of man's life, and toucheth the nature and manners of mortal men, egginge them forward from their Asinall form, to their humane and perfect shape, beside the pleasant & delectable jests therein contained, I trust if my simple translation be nothing accepted, yet the matter itself, shallbe esteemed by such, as not only delight to please their fancy in reading the same, but also take a pattern thereby, to regenerate their minds from brutish and beastly custom. How be it, I have not so exactly passed through the Author, as to point every sentence according as it is in Latin, or so absolutely translated every word, as it lieth in the prose, (for so the French and Spanish translators have not done) considering the same in our vulgar tongue would have appeared very obscure and dark, & thereby consequently, loathsome to the Reader, but nothing erring as I trust from the given and natural meaning of the author, have used more commo● and familiar words (yet not so much as I might do) for the plainer setting forth of the same. But how so ever it be (gentle Reader) I pray thee take it in good part, considering that for thee I have taken this pain, to the intent, that thou mayst, Read the same with pleasure.  
FINIS.   

THE LIFE OF LUCIUS Apuleius, briefly expressed.  
LVcius Apuleius African, an excellent follower of Plato his sect, borne in Maudara, a country sometime inhabited by the Romans, and under the jurisdiction of Syphar, situate, and lying upon the borders of Numidia & Getulia, whereby he calleth himself, half a Numidian, and half a Getulian: And Sidonius named him the Platonian Madaurence: his father called Theseus, had passed all offices of dignity in his country, with much honour: his mother named Saluia, was of such excellent virtue, that she passed all the dames of her time, borne of an ancient house, & descended from the noble Philosopher plutarch, & Sextus his Nephew. His wife called Pudentila was endowed with as much virtue and richesse as any woman might be. He himself was of high & comely stature, grey eyed, his hear yellow, & a beautiful parsonage: he flourished in Carthage in the time of jolianus Auitus, and Claudius Maximus proconsules, where he spent his youth in learning the liberal sciences, and much profited under his masters there, whereby not without cause, he gloriously calleth himself, the nourice of Carthage, & the Clestial Muse and venerable mistress of Africa, soon after at Athenes (where in times past the well of all doctrine flourished) he tasted many of the cups of the Muses, he learned Poetry, Geometry, Music, Logic, and the universal knowledge of Philosophy, and studied not in vain the nine Muses, that is to say, the nine noble & royal disciplines. Immediately after he went to Rome, & studied there the Latin tongue, with such labour and continual study, that he achieved to great eloquence, and was known and approved to be excellently learned, whereby he might worthily be called Polyhistor, that is to say, one that knoweth much or many things. And being thus no less endued with eloquence, than with singular learning, he wrote many books for them that should come after: Whereof part by negligence of times be intercepted, and part now extant, do sufficiently declare with how much wisdom and doctrine he flourished, & with how much virtue he excelled amongst the rude and barbarous people. The like was Anacharsis amongst the most luskishe Scythes: but amongst the books of Lucius Apuleius which are perished & prevented, howbeit greatly desired of us now a days, was one entitled Banqueting questions, an other entreating of the nature of Fish, an other of the generation Beasts, an other containing his Epigrams, and an other called Hermagoras: but such as are now extant, are the four books named Floridorum, wherein is contained a flourishing style, and a savoury kind of learning, which delighteth, holdeth, and rejoiceth the Reader marvelously, wherein you shall find a great variety of things, as leaping one from an other: One excellent and copious oration containing all the grace and virtue of the art Oratory, whereby he cleareth himself of the crime of art Magic, which was slanderously objected against him by his envious adversaries, wherein is contained such force of eloquence and doctrine, as he seemeth to pass and excel himself. There is an other book of the God or spirit of Socrates, whereof S. Augustine maketh often mention in his book of the definition of Spirits and description of men, two other books of the opinion of Plato, wherein is briefly contained that which before was largely expressed: one book of cosmography, comprisinge many things of Aristoteles Meteors: the Dialogue of Trismegistus, translated by him out of Greek into Latin, so fine, that it rather seemeth with more eloquence turned into Latin, than it was before written in Greek: but principally, these eleven books of the Golden Ass, are enriched with such pleasant matter, with such excellency and variety of flourishing Tales, that nothing may be more sweet and delectable, whereby worthily they may be entitled: The books of the Golden Ass, for the passing style & matter therein. For what can be more acceptable than this Ass of Gold in deed: How be it there be many which would rather Entitle it Metamorphosis, that is to say, a transfiguration or transformation, by reason of the Argument and matter therein.  
FINIS.   

THE PREFACE OF THE AUTHOR, to his son Faustinus, and unto the Readers of this book.  

THat I to thee some joyous jests, may show in gentle gloze:  
And frankly feed thy bended ears, with passing pleasant prose.  
So that thou deign in seemly sort, this wanton book to view  
That is set out and garnished fine, with written Phrases new.  
I will declare how one by hap, his humane figure lost,  
And how in brutish formed shape, his loathed life he tossed:  
And how he was in course of time, from such estate unfold.  
Who eftsoons turned to pristine shape, his lot unlucky told.   
WHat and who he was, attend a while and you shall understand, that it was even I, the writer of mine own Metamorphosy, & strange alteration of figure. Hymettus, Athens, Isthmia, Ephire, Tenaros, and Sparta, being fat & fertile soils (as I pray you give credit to the books of more everlasting fame) be places where mine ancient progeny & lineage did sometime flourish: there I say, in Athens when I was young, I went first to school. Sun after (as a stranger) I arrived at Rome, whereas by great industry & without instruction of any schoolmaster I achieved to the full perfection of the Latin tongue: behold, I first crave & beg your pardon, lest I should happen to displease or offend any of you by the rude & rustic utterance of this strange & foreign language. And verily, this new alteration of speech doth correspond to the enterprised matter whereof I purpose to entreat, I will set forth unto you a pleasant Grecian jest. Whereunto gentle Reader if thou wilt give attendant ear, it will minister unto thee such delectable matter, as thou shalt be well contented withal.  
FINIS.   

The first book of Lucius Apuleius of the Golden Ass.  

¶ How Apuleius riding into Thessaly, fortuned to fall into company with two strangers, that reasoned together of the mighty power of Witches.  
cap. 1.  
AS I fortuned to take my voyage into Thessaly, 
A country where are many Inchanteresses and Witches.  about certain affairs which I had to do (for there mine ancestry by my mother's side inhabiteth, descended of the line of that most excellent person plutarch, & of Sextus the philosopher his Nephew, which is to us a great worship and honour: 
The virtue of parents makes the children honoured.  And after that by much travel and great pain, I had passed over the high mountains and slippery valleys, and had ridden through the cloggy fallowed fields, perceiving that my horse did wax somewhat slow, & to the intent likewise, I might repose and strengthen myself, (being weary with riding) I lighted of my horse, and wiping away the sweat from every part of his body, I unbridled him, and walked him softly in my hand, to the end he might piss, and ease himself of his weariness, and travel: And while he went grasinge freshly in the field (casting his head sometimes aside as a token of rejoicing and gladness) I perceived a little before me two companions riding, & so I overtakinge them made the third: And while I listened to hear their communication, the one of them laughed and mocked his fellow: saying, leave of I pray thee and speak no more, for I cannot abide to hear thee tell such absurd & incredible lies: Which when I heard, I desired to hear some news, and said: I pray you Masters make me partaker of your talk, that am not so curious, as desirous to know all your communication: So shall we shorten our journey, and easily pass this high hill before us, by merry and pleasant talk: but he that laughed before at his fellow, said again: verily this tale is as true, as if a man would say, that by Sorcery and enchantment the floods might be enforced to run against their course: 
Witches in old time wear supposed to be of such power that they could pull down the Moon by their enchantment.  the seas to be immovable: the air to lack the blowing of winds: the Sun to be restrained from his natural race: the Moon to purge his scum upon herbs and trees, to serve for sorceries: the Stars to be pulled from heaven, the day to be darkened, and the dark night to continue still. Then I, being more desirous to hear his talk then his companions, said: I pray you, that began to tell your tale even now, leave not of so, but tell the reside we. And turning to the other, I said: You perhaps that are of an obstinate mind and gross ears, mock and contemn those things which are reported for truth, know you not, that it is accounted untrue by the brave opinion of men, which either is rarely seen, seldom heard, or that passeth the capacity of man's reason, which if it be more narrowly scanned, you shalt not only find it evident & plain, but also very easy to be brought to pass.   

¶ How Apuleius told to the two strangers, what he saw a juglar do in Athens.  
Cap. 2.  
THe other night, being at supper with a sort of hungry fellows, while I did greedily put a great morsel of meat in my wouth, that was fried with the flower of cheese and barley, it cleaved so fast in the passage of my throat, and stopped my wind, in such sort that I was wellnigh choked. And yet at Athens before the porch there, called peal, I saw with these eyes, a juggler that swallowed up a twoohand sword with a very keen edge, and by & by, for a little money that we, that looked on, gave him, he devoured a chasing spear, with the point downward. And after that he had conveyed the whole spear within the closure of his body, and brought it out again behind, there appeared on the top thereof (which caused us all to marvel) a fair boy, pleasant and nimble, winding and turning himself in such sort, that you would suppose that he had neither bone nor gristle, and verily think that he were the natural Serpent, creeping & sliding on the knotted staff, 
The God of medicine is called Asculapius.  which the God of Medicine is feigned to bear. But turning me to him that began his Tale, I pray you (ꝙ I) follow your purpose, and I alone will give credit unto you, and for your pains will pay your charges at the next Inn we come unto. To whom he answered, Certes sir, I thank you for your gentle offer, and at your request, I will proceed in my tale: but first I will swear unto you by the light of this Sun that shineth here, that those things which I shall tell be true, lest when you come to the next City called Thessaly, you should doubt any thing, of that which is rife in the mouths of every person, and done before the face of all men: And that I may first make relation unto you, what, & who I am, and whither I go, & for what purpose: know ye, that I am of Egin; traveling these countries about from Thessaly to Etolia, and from Etolia to Beotia, to provide for honey, cheese, and other victuales to sell again: And understanding, that at Hippata (which is the principal City of all Thessaly) is accustomed to be sold new chéeses of exceeding good taste and relish, I fortuned on a day to go thither, to make my market there, but (as it often happeneth) I came in an evil hour, for one Lupus a purveyor had bought and engrossed up all the day before, and so I was deceived. Wherefore, towards night (being very weary) I went to the banns to refresh myself, and behold, I fortuned to espy, my companion Socrates' sitting upon the ground, covered with a torn and course mantel, who who so meigre and of so sallow and miserable a countenance, that I scantly knew him: for fortune had brought him into such estate and calamity, that he verily seemed as a common beggar, that standeth in the streets to crave the benevolence of the passers by: Towards whom (how be it he was my singular friend & familiar acquaintance, 
Misery maketh some men forget acquaintance.  yet half in despair) I drew me, and said: Alas my Socrates, what meaneth this? how fareth it with thee? what crime hast thou committed? verily there is great lamentation and weeping made for thee at home: Thy children are in ward by decree of the provincial judge: thy wife (having ended her mourning time in lamentable wise with face and visage bloubered with tears, in such sort that she hath welny wept out both her eyes) is constrained by her parents to put out of remembrance the unfortunate loss and lack of thee at home, and (against her will) to take a new husband. And dost thou live here as a ghost or hedge, to our great shame & ignomy? Then answered he to me, & said: O my friend Aristomenus, now perceive I well that you are ignorant of the whirling changes, the unstable forces, and slippery inconstance of fortune: and therewithal he covered his face (even then blushing for very shame) with his rugged mantel, in so much that from his navel downward he appeared all naked. But I (not willing to see him any longer in such great misery and calamity) took him by the hand and lifted him up from the ground: who (having his face covered in such sort) let fortune (ꝙ he) triumph yet more, let her have her sway, and finish that which she hath begun. And therewithal I put of one of my garments and covered him, and immediately I brought him to the bane, and caused him to be anointed, wiped, and the filthy scurf of his body to be rubbed away, which done (although I wear very weary myself) yet I led the poor miser to my Inn, where he reposed his body upon a bed, and then I brought him meat and drink, and so we talked together: for there we might be merry & laugh at our pleasure, and so we wear, until such time as he (fetching a pitiful sigh from the bottom of his heart, and beating his face in miserable sort) began to say.   

¶ How Socrates in his return from Macedon to Larissa, was spoiled and rob, and how he fell acquainted with one Meroe, a Witch.  
Cap. 3  
ALas poor miser that I am, that for the only desire to see a game of trial of weapons, am fallen into these miseries and wretched snares of misfortune. For in my return from Macedon, whereas I sold all my wares, and played the merchant by the space of ten months, a little before that I came to Larissa, I turned out of the way to view the situation of the country there, and behold in the bottom of a deep valley, I was suddenly environed with a company of thieves, who rob & spoiled me, of such things as I had, and yet would hardly suffer me to escape. But I (being in such extremity) in the end, was happily delivered from their cruel hands: and so I fortuned to come to the house of an old woman that sold wine, called Meroe: who had her tongue sufficiently instructed to flattery: unto whom I opened the causes of my long pexegrination and careful travel, and of nune unlucky abventure, and after that I had declared unto her such things as then presently came to my remembrance, she gently entertained me, and made me good cheer, and by and by being pricked by carnal desire, she brought me to her own bed chamber, where as I (poor miser) (the very first night of our lying together) did purchase to myself this miserable face, 
To use and haunt women maketh men have meigre and palc ●aces.  and for her lodging I gave her such apparel, as the thieves left to cover me withal.  
Then I (understanding the cause of his miserable estate) said unto him: In faith, thou art worthy to sustain the most extreme misery and calamity, which hast defiled and maculate thine òwne body, forsaken thy wife traitorously, and dishonoured thy children, parents, and friends, for the love of a vile harlot and old strumpet. When Socrates hard me rail against Meroe in such sort, he held up his finger to me, and as half abashed, said: peace, peace, I pray you, and (looking about least any person should here,) I pray you (ꝙ he) take heed what you say against so venerable a woman as she is, lest by your intemperate tongue you ●●●che some harm. Then (with resemblance of admiration) what (ꝙ I) is she so excellent a person as you name her to be? I pray you tell me. Then answered he, verily she is a Magicien, which hath power to rule the Heavens, to bring down the sky, to bear up the earth, to turn the waters into hills, and the hills into running waters, to lift up the terrestial spirits into the air, & to pull the Gods out of the heavens, to ertinguishe the Planets, and to lighten the drepe darkness of hell. Then said I unto Socrates, I pray thee leave of this high and mystical kind of talk, and tell the matter in a more plain and simple fashion. Then answered he, will you hear one or two, or more of her facts, which she hath done, for where as she enforceth, not only the inhabitants of the country here, but also the Indians and the Aethiops the one and the other, and also the Antictons, to love her in most raging sort, such are but trifles and chips of her occupation, but I pray you give ear, and I will declare of more greater matters which she hath done openly and before the face of all men.   

¶ How Meroe the witch turned divers persons into miserable Beasts.  
Cap. 4.  
IN faith Aristomenus, to tell you the truth, this woman had a certain lover, whom by the utterance of one only word, she turned him into a Beaver, because he loved an other woman beside her, and the reason why she transformed him into such a beast, is, for that it is his nature, when he perceiveth the hunters and hounds to draw after him, to bite of his members, and lay them in the way, that the hounds may be at a stop when they find them, and to the intent it might so happen unto him, (because he fancied an other woman) she turned him into that kind of shape. Semblably she changed one of her neighbours, being an old man and one that sold wine, into a frog, in that he was one of her occupation, and therefore she bore him grudge, and now the poor miser swiming in one of his pipes of wine, and wellnigh drowned in the dregs, doth cry and call with a hoarse voice, for his old gests and acquaintance that pass by. Likewise she turned one of the Advocates of the court (because he pleaded and spoke against her in a rightful cause) into a horned Ram, and now the poor Ramme is become and Advocate. Moreover she caused that the wife of a certain lover that she had, should never be delivered of her child, but according to the computation of all men, it is eight years passed since the poor woman began first to swell, and now she is increased so big, that she seemeth as though she would bring forth some great Oliphant, which when it was known abroad and published through out all the town, they took indignation against her, and ordained that the next day she should most cruelly be stoned to death, which purpose of theirs she prevented, by the virtue of her enchantments, and as Medea (who obtained of king Creon but one days respite before her departure) did burn all his house, him and his daughter, so she (by her conjurations and invocations of spirits, which she useth in a certain hole in her house, as she herself declared unto me the next day following) closed all the persons of the town so sure in their houses, and with such violence of power, that for the space of two days, they could not come forth, nor open their gates nor doors, nor break down their walls, whereby they wear enforced by mutual consent, to cry unto her, and to bind themselves (streictly) by oaths, that they would never afterwards molest or hurt her, & moreover if any did offer her any injury they would be ready to defend her, whereupon she (moved at their promises, and stirred by pity) released all the town. But she conveyed the principal Author of this ordinance, about midnight, with all his house, the walls, the ground, and the foundation, into an other town distant from thence a hundred miles, situate and being on the top of a high hill, and by reason thereof destitute of water, and because the edifices & houses, wear so nigh builded together, that it was not possible for the house to stand there, she threw down the same before the gate of the town. Then spoke I and said: O my friend Socrates, you have declared unto me many marvelous things and strange chances, and moreover strooken me with no small trouble of mind, yea rather with great fear, lest the same old woman using the like practice, should fortune to here all our 
Witches are supposed tobeare whatsoever is said.  communication: wherefore let us now sleep, and after that we have taken our rest, let us rise betime in the morning and ride away from hens before day, as far as we may possible.   

¶ How Socrates and Aristomenus slept together in one chamber, and how they were handled by Witches.  
Cap. 5.  
IN speaking these words, and devising with myself of our departing the next morrow, lest Meroe the Witch should play by us, as she had donen by divers other persons: It fortuned that Socrates did fall a sleep, and slept very sound, by reason of his travel and plenty of meat and wine, wherewithal he had filled himself. Wherefore I closed and barred fast the doors of the chamber, and put my bed behind the door, 
●are and care 〈◊〉 men waking.  and so laid me down to rest, but I could in no wise sleep for the great fear which was in my heart, until it was about midnight, & then I began to slumber: but alas, behold suddenly the chamber doors broke open, the locks, bolts and posts fell down, that you would verily have thought, that some thieves had been presently come to have spoiled and rob us. And my bed whereon I lay being a trockle bed, fashioned in form of a cradle, and one of the feet broken & rotten, by violence was turned upside down, and I likewise was overwhelmed and covered lying in the fame. Then perceived I in myself, that certain affects of the mind by nature doth chance contrary. For as tears oftentimes trickleth down the cheeks of him that seeth or heareth some joyful news, so I being in this fearful perplexity, could not forbear laughing, to see how of Aristomenus I was made like unto a snail in his shell. And while I lay on the ground covered in this sort, I péeped under the bed to see what would happen. And behold there entered in two old women, the one bearing a burning torch, and the other a sponge and a naked sword: And so in this habit they stood about Socrates being fast a steape. Then she (which bore the sword) said unto the other, behold sister Panthia this is my dear and my sweet heart, which both day and night hath abused my wanton youthfulness. This is he (who little regarding my love) doth not only diffame me with reproachful words, but also intendeth to run away: And I shall be forsaken by like crass as Ulysses did use, and shall continually bewail my solitariness as Calypso, (which said) she pointed to wards me, that lay under the bed, and showed me to Panthia. This is he (ꝙ she) which is his counselor, and persuadeth him to forsake me, and now (being at the point of death) he lieth prostrate on the ground covered with his bed, and hath seen all our doings, and hopeth to escape (scotfree) from my hands, but I will cause that he shall repent himself too late, nay rather forthwith of his former untemperate language, and his present curiosity. Which words when I hard, I fell into a cold sweat, and my heart trembled with fear, in so much that the bed over me did like wise rattle & shake. Then spoke Panthia unto Meroe, and said: Sister, let us by and by tear him in pieces, or else tie him by the members and so cut them of. Then Meroe (being so named because she was a taverner 
Meroe, so called of Meris, which in Englis he is strong wine untempered.  and loved well good wines) answered: nay rather let him live, and bury the Corpse of this poor wretch in some hole of the earth, and therewithal she turned the head of Socrates on the other side, & thrust her sword up to the hilts into the left part of his neck, and received the blood, that gushed out, with a pot, that no drop thereof fell beside, which things I saw with mine own eyes, and (as I think) to the intent she might alter nothing that pertained to sacrifice, which she accustomed to make, she thrust her hand down into the entrails of his body, & (searching about) at length brought forth the heart of my miserable companion Socrates, who (having his throat cut in such sort) yielded out a doleful cry, and gave up the ghost. Then Panthia stopped the wide wound of his throat with the sponge, and said: O Sponge sprung and made of the sea, beware that thou 
The sponge 〈◊〉meth of the 〈◊〉  pass not by the running river. This being said, the one of them moved and turned up my bed, and their they stridde over me, and slapped their buttocks upon my face, and all bepissed me, till I was wring wet: when this was ended, they went their ways, and the doors closed fast, the posts stood in their old places, and the locks & bolts were shut again. But I, that l●ye upon the ground, like one without soul, naked and cold, and wringing wet with piss, like to one that wear more than half dead, yet reviving myself, and appointed as I think for the gallows, began to say: Alas what shall become of me to morrow, when my companion shallbe found murdered here in the chamber? 
The presumptions of Magistrates.  To whom shall I seem to tell any similitude of truth, when as I shall tell the truth in deed? They will say if thou wearest unable to resist the violence of the women, yet shouldest thou have cried for help, wile thou suffer the man to be slain before thy face and say nothing? Or why did not they slay thee like wise? why did they spare thee that stood by and saw them commit that horrible fact? Wherefore although thou hast escaped their hands, yet thou shalt not escape ours. While I pondered these things with myself, the night passed on: And so I thought best to take my horse before day, and got forward in my journey. How be it the ways were unknown unto me, and thereupon I took up my packet, unlocked and unbarred the doors, but those good and faithful doors which in the night did open of their own accord, could then scantly be opened with their keys. And when I was out I cried hossra, Osteler, where art thou, open the stable door, for I will ride away by and by. 
Such drowsy seruaeuntes have ready answers  The Osteler lying behind the stable door upon a pallet, and half a sleep, what (ꝙ he) do not you know that the ways he very dangerous? what mean you to rise at this time of night? If you perhaps (guilty of some heinous crime) be weary of your life, yet think you not that we are such sots that we will die for you. Then said I, it is welny day, & moreover what can thieves take from him that hath nothing? dost not thou know (fool as thou art) that 
The wayfaring man that hath no money may sing merely before the thief  if thou be naked, if ten Giants should assail thee, they could not spoil or rob thee? Whereunto the drowsy Osteler half a sleep, & turning on the other side, answered: what know I whether you have murdered your companion whom you brought in yesternight or no, and now seek the means to escape away. O Lord, at that time I remember, that the earth seemed to open, and that I saw at hell gate the dog Cerberus 
Cerberus is the dog of, hell feigned by the poets to stand a● Pluto's gates  gaping to devour me, and then I verily believed, that Meroe did not spare my throat, moved with pity, but rather cruelly pardoned me to bring me to the gallows. Wherefore, I returned to my chamber, and there devised with myself in what sort I should finish my life. But when I saw that fortune would minister unto me no other instrument, then that which my bed proffered me, I said: O bed, O bed, most dear unto me at this present, which hast abode and suffered with me so many miseries, judge and arbiter of such things as were done here this night, whom only I may call to witness for mine innocency, render (I say) unto me some wholesome weapon to end my life that am most willing to die. And therewithal I pulled out a piece of the rope wherewith the bed was corded, and tied one end thereof about a rafter by the window, and with the other end I made a sliding knot, and stood upon my bed, and so put my neck into hit. A●d when I leaped from the bed, thinking verel● to strangle myself and so die, behold the rope being old and rotten braced in the middle, and I fell down tumbling upon Socrates that lay under. And even at that same very time, the Osteler came in crying with a loud voice, and said where are you that made such haste at midnight, & now lies wallowing a bed, whereupon (I know not whether it was by my fall or by the great cry of the Osteler) Socrates (as waking out of a sleep) did rise up first and said: It is not without cause that strangers do speak evil of all such Ostelers, for this captife in his coming in, & with his crying out, I think under a colour to steal away something, hath waked me out of a sound sleep. Then I rose up joyful, with a merry countenance, sa●ynge: Behold good Osteler, my friend, my companion & my brother whom thou didst falsely affirm to be murdered by me this night. And therewithal I embraced my friend Socrates and kissed him, but he smelling the stink of the piss wherewith those hedges had imbrued me, thrust me away and said cleanse thyself from that filthy odour, and then he began gently to inquire how that noisome scent happened unto me, but I (finely feigninge and couloringe the matter for the time) did break of his talk, and took him by the hand and said, why tarry we? why lose we the pleasure of this fair morning? Let us go, and so I took up my pacquette, and paid the charges of the house and departed: and we had not gone a mile out of the town but it was broad day, & then I diligently looked upon Socrates' throat to see if I could espy the place where Meroe thrust in her sword, but when I could not perceive any such thing, I thought with myself what a mad man am I, that (being overcome with wine yesternight) have dreamt such terrible things: Behold I see Socrates is sound, salve & in health, where is his wound? where is the sponge? where is his great and new cut? and than I spoke to him and said: verily it is not without occasion that Physicians of experience doth affirm, that such as fill their gorges abundantly with meat and drink shall dream of dire and horrible sights, for I myself (not tempering mine appetite yesternight from the pots of wine) did seem to see this night strange and cruel visions, that even yet I think myself sprinkled & wet with humane blood: whereunto Socrates laughing, made answer and said: Nay thou art not wet with the blood of men, but thou art imbrued with stinking piss: and verily I myself dreamt this night, that my throat was cut and that I felt the pain of the wound, and that my heart was pulled out of my belly, and the remembrance thereof makes me now to fear, for my knees do tremble that I can uneath go any further, & therefore I would feign eat somewhat to strengthen and revive my spirits: then said I, behold here is thy breakfast, and therewithal I opened my skrippe, that hanged upon my shoulder, and gave him bread & cheese, and we sat down under a great plane tróe and I eat part with him: And while I beheld him eating greedily, I perceived that he waxed meigre and pale, & that his lively colour vaded away, in so much that (being in great fear and remembering those terrible furies of whom I lately dreamt) the first morsel of bread that I put in my mouth (which was but very small) did so stick in my jaws that I could neither swallow it down nor yet yield it up, and moreover the small time of our being together increased my fear, and what is he, that seeing his companion die in the high way before his face, will not greatly lament and be sorry: but when that Socrates had eaten sufficiently he warred very thirsty, for in deed he had wellnigh devoured all a whole cheese, and behold evil fortune, there was behind the plane tree a pleasant running water as clear as Crystal, and I said unto him: come hither Socrates to this water and drink thy fill. And then he rose and came to the river, and kneeled down upon the side of the bank to drink, but he had skase touched the water with his lips, when as behold, the wound of his throat opened wide, 
●anthia said before beware spoge that thou pass not by the running river.  and the sponge suddenly fell into the water and after issued out a little remnant of blood, and his body (being then without life) had fallen into the river, had not I caught him by the leg, and so pulled him up. And after that I had lamented a good space the death of my wretched companion, I buried him in the sands there by the river. Which done, in great fear I road through many outweighs and desert places, and as culpable of the death of Socrates, I forsook my country, my wife, and my children, and came to Aetolia where I married an other wife. This tale told Aristomenus, and his fellow which before obstinately would give no credit unto high, begun to say: Verily there was never so foolish a tale, nor a more absurd lie told then this: & then he spoke unto me, saying: Ho sir, what you are I know not, but your habit and countenance declareth, 
He speaketh to Apulcius.  that you should be some honest gentleman, do you believe his tale? yea verily (ꝙ I) why not? for what so ever the fates hath appointed to men, that I believe shall happen. For many thingès chance unto me, and unto you, and to divers others, which being declared unto the ignorant be accounted as lies. But verily I give credit unto his tale, and render entire thanks unto him in that (by the pleasant relation thereof) we have quickly passed and shortened our journey, and I think that my horse also was delighted with the same, and hath brought me to the gate of this City without any pain at all. Thus ended both our talk and journey, for they two turned on the left hand to the next villages, and I road into the City.   

¶ How Apuleius came to a City called Hipate, and was lodged in one Mil●s house, and brought him letters from Demea of Corinthe.  
Cap. 6.  
AFter that those two compaignions' were departed, I entered into the City, where I espied an old woman, of whom I inquired whether that City was called Hypata, or no, who answered yeas: Then I demanded whether she knew one Milo an Alderman of the City, whereat she laughed, and said: verily it is not without cause that Milo is called an elder man, and accounted as chief of those which dwell without the walls of the City: To whom I said again, I pray thee good mother do not mock, but tell me what manner of man he is, and where he dwelleth: Marry (ꝙ she) do not you see those bay windows which on the one side abutte to the gate of the City, and on the other side to the next lane, there Milo dwelleth, very rich both in money & substance, 
Avarice makes men ill spok● of  but by reason of his great Avarice and insatiable covetousness, he is evil spoken of, & he is a man that liveth all by Usury, and lending his money upon pledges. Moreover he dwelleth in a small house, and is ever counting his money, and hath a wife that is a companion of his extreme misery, 
Covet ousnes is extreme misery.  neither keepeth he any more in his house then one only maid who goeth apparelled like unto a beggar: which when I heard, I laughed with myself, & thought: in faith my friend Demeas hath served me well, which hath sent me (being a stranger) unto such a man, in whose house I shall not be afeard either of smoke or of the sent of meat, & therewithal I road to the door which was fast barred, and knocked aloud, then there came forth a maid which said, Ho Sirrah, that knocks so fast, in what kind of sort will you borrow money, know you not that we use to take no gage unless it be either plate or jewels? To whom I answered, I pray thee maid speak more gentle & tell me whether thy master be within or no. Yes (ꝙ she) that he is, why do you ask? Marry said I, I am come from Corinthe, and have brought him letters from Demeas his friend. Then said the maid, I pray you tarry here till I tell him so, 
The n●ggarde keepeth close his doors always.  and therewithal she closed fast the doors, and went in, and after a while she returned again, & said, my master desireth you to alight and come in: and so I did, whereas I found him sitting upon a little bed, going to supper, and his wife sat at his feet, but there was no meat upon the table, & so (by appointment of the maid) I came to him, and saluted him, & delivered the letters which I brought from Demeas: which when he had red, he said, verily I thank my friend Demeas much, in that he hath sent unto me so worthy a ge●t as you are: And therewithal he commanded his wife to sit away, and bid me sit in her place, which when I refused, by reason of courtesy, he pulled me by the garment and willed me to sit down, for we have (ꝙ he) no other stool here, nor no other great store of household stuff for fear of robbing. Then I (according to his commandment) sat down: and he fell in further communication with me, and said: Verily I do conject by the comely feature of your body, and by the maidenly shame fastness of your face, that you are a gentle man borne, as my friend Demeas hath no less declared the same in his letters: Wherefore I pray you take in good part our poor lodging, and behold, yonder chamber is at your commandment, use it as your own, and if you be contented therewithal, you shall resemble and follow the virtuous qualities of your good father Theseus, who disdeigned not the slender and poor cottage of Hecades. And then he called his maid, which was named Fotis, and said: Tarry this gentleman's pacquette into the chamber, and lay it up safely, and bring quickly water to wash him, and a towel to rub him, & other things necessary: and then bring him to the next banns, for I know that he is very weary of travel. These things when I hard, I partly perceived the manners of Milo, and (endeavouring to bring myself further in his favour) I said, Sir there is no need of any of these things, for they have been every where ministered unto me by the way, how be it I will go unto the banns, but my chiefest care is that my horse be well looked too, for he brought me hither roundly, and therefore I pray thee Fotis take this money & by some hay and Dates for him.   

¶ How Apuleius going to buy fis●e met with his companion Pythias.  
Cap. 7.  
WHen this was done, & all my things brought into the chamber, I walked towards the veins, but first I went to the market to buy some victuals for my supper, where as I saw great plenty of fish set out to be sold: and so I cheapened part thereof, and that which they first held at a hundred pence, I bought at length for twenty: which when I had done and was departing away, one of mine old companions, and fellow at Athens, named Pythias, fortuned to pass by, and viewing me a good space, in the end brought me to his remembrance, and gently came and kissed me, saying: O my dear friend Lucius, it is a great while passed sithence we two saw each other, and moreover from the time that we departed from our master Vestius, I never hard any news of you, I pray you Lucius tell me the cause of your peregrination hither: Then I answered and said: I will make relation thereof unto you to morrow: but I pray you tell me, what meaneth these servitors that follow you, & these rods or verges which they bear: and this habit which you wear, 
●o used Magistrates to go sometime in ●ome.  like unto a Magistrate: verily I think that you have obtained your own desire, whereof I am right glad. Then answered Pythias, I bear the office and rule of the clerk of the market, & therefore if you will have any pittance for your supper, speak and I will purvey it for you: Then I thanked him heartily, and said I had bought meat sufficient already. But Pythias when he espied my basket wherein my fish was, took it and shaked it, and demanded of me what I paid for all my sprottes: in faith (ꝙ I) I could skase enforce the fishmonger to sell them for twenty pence, which when he hard, he brought me back again into the market, and inquired of me of whom I bought them, I showed him the old man which sat in a corner, whom by and by (by reason of his office) he did greatly blame and said. Is it thus that you serve and handle strangers? and specially our friends? wherefore sell you this fish so dear which is not worth a halfpennie? Now perceive I well that you are an occasion to make this place, which is the principal City of all Thessaly to be forsaken of all men, & to reduce it into an inhabitable desert, by reason of your excessive prices of victuales, but assure yourself that you shall not escape without punishment, and you shall know what mine office is, and how I ought to punish such as do offend. Then he took my basket and cast the fish on the ground, and commanded one of his sergeants to tread them under his feet: this done he persuaded me to depart, & said that that only shame and reproach done unto the old caitiff did suffice him, so I went away all amazed and astonished, towards the bames (considering with myself, and devising of the grace of my companion Pythias) where when I had washed and refreshed my body, I returned again to Milos house both without money and meat, and so got into my chamber, than came Fotis immediately unto me, and said that her master desired me to come to supper, but I (not ignorant of Milos abstinence) prayed that I might be pardoned, since as I thought best to ease my weary bones rather with sleep & quietness, than with meat: when Fotis had told this unto Milo, he came himself, and took me by the hand, and while I did modestly excuse me, I will not (ꝙ he) depart from this place, until such time as you shall go with me, and to confirm the same he bound his words with an oath, whereby he enforced me to follow him and so he brought me into his chamber, where he sat him down upon the bed, and demands of me how his friend Demeas did, his wife his children and all his family: & I made him answer to every question, specially he inquired the causes of my peregrination & travel, which when I had declared, he● yet busily demanded of the state of my country, and of the chief Magistrates there, and principally of our Lieutenant and Viceroy, who when he perceived that I was not only wearied by travel, but also with talk, and that I fell a sleep in the midst of my tale, and further that I spoke nothing directly or advisedly, he suffered me to depart to my chamber. So scaped I at length from the prattling and hungry supper of this rank old man, 
Such suppers useth usurers to make.  and being compelled by sleep and not by meat (as having supped only with talk) I returned into my chamber and there be took me to my quiet and long desired rest.   
¶ Here endeth the first book of Lucius Apuleius.   

The second Book of Lucius Apuleius of the Golden Ass.  

¶ How Apuleius fortuned to meet with his cousin Byrrhena.  
Cap. 8.  
AS soon as night was passed, and the day began to springe, I fortuned to awake and rose out of my bed as half amazed, and (very desirous to know and see some marvelous and strange things, remembering with myself that I was in the midst part of all Thessaly, whereas, by the common report of all the world, the sorceries and enchantments are most used) I oftentimes repeated with myself the tale of my companion Aristomenus touching the manner of this City, and (being moved by great desire) I viewed the whole situation thereof, neither was there any thing which I saw there, that I did believe to be the same which it was in deed, but every thing seemed unto me to be transformed and altered into other shapes by the wicked power of sorcery and enchantment, in so much that I thought that the stones which I found, were indurate & turned from men into that figure, and that the birds which I hard chirping, and the trees without the walls of the City, and the running waters were changed from men into such kind of likenesses: And further I thought that the statues, images, and walls could go, and the oxen and other brute beasts could speak & tell strange news, and that immediately I should see and here some Oracle from the Heaven, and from the gléede of the Sun. Thus being astonished or rather dismayed & vexed with desire, knowing no certain place whither I intended to go, I went from street to street, & at length (as I curiously gas●d on every thing) I fortuned unwares to come into the market place, where as I espied a certain woman accompaignted with a great many servants, towards whom I drew nigh and ulewed her garments beset with gold and precious stone, in such sort that she seemed to be some noble Matron: And there was an old man which followed her: who (as soon as he had espied me) said to himself, verily this is Lucius, and then he came and embraced me, and by and by he went unto his mistress, and whispered in her ear, & came to me again, saying: How is it Lucius, that you will not salute your dear cousin and singular friend? To whom I answered: Sir I dare not be so bold as to take acquaintance of an unknown woman: how be it as half ashamed I drew towards her, and she turned herself and said: Behold how he resembleth the very same grace as his mother Saluia doth, behold his countenance and stature agreeing thereto in each point, behold his comely state, his fine selendernes, his vermilion colour, his hear yellow by nature, his grey and quick eyes like unto the Eagle, and his trim and comely gate which do sufficiently prove him to be the natural child of Saluia: And moreover she said: O Lucius I have nourished thee with mine own proper hands, and why not? For I am not only of kinrede unto thy mother by blood, but also by nourice, for we both descended of the line of plutarch, lay in one belly, sucked the same paps, & brought up together in one house: And further there is no other difference between us two, but that she is married more honourably than I: I am the same Byrrhena whom you have often hard named, amongst your friends at home. Wherefore I pray you to take the pains as to come with me to my house, and use it as your own, at whose words I was partly abashed, and said: God forbidden cousin that I should forsake mine hoest Mylo without any just & reasonable cause, but verily I will (as often as I have occasion to pass by your house) come and see how you do: And while we went talking thus together, by little & little, we came to her house, and behold the gate of the same very beautiful set with pillars quadranglewise, on the top whereof wear placed carved statues and images, but principally the goddess of Victory was so lively and with such excellency portrayed and set forth, that you would verily have thought that she had flied, and hovered with her wings hither and thither. On the contrary part, the image of the goddess Diana was wrought in white marble, which was a marvelous sight to see, for she seemed as though the wind did blow up her garments, and that she did encounter with them that came into the house: on each side of her, were Dogs made of stone, that seemed to menace with their fiery eyes, their pricked ears, their bended nostrils, and their grinning teeth, in such sort that you would have thought they had bayed and barked: And moreover (which was a greater marvel to behold) the excellent carver & deviser of this work had fashioned the dogs to stand up fiercely with their former feet, and their hinder feet on the ground ready to fight. Behind the back of the Goddess was carved a stone in manner of a cavern, environed with moss, herbs, leaves, Sprigs, green branches, and bows, growingi● and about the same, in so much that within the stone it glistened and shone marvelously, under the brim of the stone hanged apples and grapes carved finely, wherein art (enuling nature) showed his great cunning: For they were so lively set out, that you would have thought (if Summer had been come) they might have been pulled and eaten, and while I beheld the running water, which seemed to springe and leap under the feet of the Goddess, I marked the grapes which hanged in the water, which were like in every point to the grapes of the vine, and seemed to move and stir by violéce of the stream, moreover amongst the branches of the stone appeared the image of Actaeon, And how that Diana (which was carved within the same stone standing in the water because he did see her naked) did turn him into a heart, and so he was torn and slain of his own hounds. And while I was greatly delighted with the view of these things, Birrhena spoke to me and said: Cousin, all things here be at your commandment. And there, withal she willed secretly the residue to depart, who being gone she said: My most dear cousin Lucius I swear by this goddess Diana that I do greatly tender your safety, and am as careful for you, as if you were mine own natural child, beware I say, beware of the evil arts & wicked allurements of that Pamphiles that is the wife of Milo, whom you call your host, for she is accounted the most chief and principal Magicien and enchanteresse living, who by breathing out certain words and charms over bows, stones, and other frivolous things, can throw down all the powers of the Heavens into the deep bottom of Hell, and reduce all the whole world again to the old Chaos: For as soon as she espieth any comely young man, she is forthwith strooken with his love, and presently setteth her whole mind and affection on him: She soweth her seed of flattery, 
Young men are prone to fall into the danger of love.  she invades his spirit, and entangleth him with continual snares of unmeasurable love. And then, if any accord not to her filthy desire, or if they seem loathsome in her eye, by and by in the moment of an hour she either turneth them into stones, sheep, or some other beast as she herself pleaseth, and some she presently s●eaeth and murdereth, of whom I would you should earnestly beware. For she burneth continually, and you, by reason of your tender age and comely beauty are capable of her fire and love: This with great care Birrhena gave me in charge, but I (that always coveted and desired, after that I hard talk of such sorcery and witchcraft, to be experienced in the same) little esteemed to beware of Pamphiles, but willingly determined to bestow my money in learning of that art, and now wholly to become a Witch: And so I warred joyful and wringing myself out of her company, as out of links or chains, I bad her farewell, and departed towards the house of mine host Milo, by the way I reasoned thus with myself: O Lucius, now take heed, be vigilant, have a good care, for now thou haste time and place to satisfy thy desire, now shake of thy shildishnesse and show thyself a man, but specially temper thyself from the love of thine Ostesse, and abstain from violation of the bed of Milo, but hardly attempt to win the maiden Fotis for she is beautiful, wanton, and pleasant in talk. And son● when thou goest to sleep, 
Time, place, and occasion tempteth a man much.  and when she bringeth thee gently into thy chamber, & tenderly layeth the down in thy bed, and lovingly covereth thee, and kisseth thee sweetly, and departeth unwillingly, and casteth her eyes oftentimes back and stands still, then haste thou a good occasion ministered unto thee, to prove and try the mind of Fotis. Thus while I reasoned with myself, I came to Milos door persevering still in my purpose, but I found neither Milo nor his wife at home.   

¶ How Apuleius fell in love with Fotis.  
Cap. 9  
WHen I was within the house I found my dear and sweet love Fotis mincing of meat, and making pottage for her Master and Mistress, the cupboard was all set with wines, and I thought I smelled the saver of some dainty meats, she had about her middle a white and clean apron, and she was girded about her body under her paps with a swathell of red silk, and she stirred the pot and turned the meat with her fair and white hands, in such sort that with stirring and turning the same, her loins, and hips did likewise move and shake, which was in my mind a comely sight to see. These things when I saw, I was half amazed, and stood musing with myself, and my courage came then upon me, which before was scant. And I spoke unto Fotis merely, and said: O Futis, how trimly you can stir the pot, and how finely (with shaking your buttocks) you can make pottage. O happy and twice happy is he to whom you give leave & licence but to touch you there: Then she being likewise merely disposed 'gan answer: Depart I say miser from me, depart from my fire, 
The like saying hath Terence.  for if the ●●ame thereof do never so little blaze forth, it will burn thee extremely: and none can extinguish the heat thereof, but I alone who in stirring the pot, and making the bed can so finely shake myself: when she had said these words, she cast her eyes upon me and laughed, but I did not depart from thence until such time as I had viewed her in every point: but what should I speak of others? when as I do accustom abroad to mark and view the face and hear of every dame, and afterwards delight myself therewith privately at home, and thereby judge the residue of their shape, because the face is the principal part of all the body, and is first open to our eyes: And whatsoever flourishing and gorgeous apparel doth work and set forth in the corporal parts of a woman, the same doth the natural and comely beauty set out in the face. Moreover there be divers, that (to the intent to show their grace and feature) will cast of their partlettes, collars, habillimentes, frontes, cornets & krippins, and do more delight to show the fairness of their skin, then to deck themselves up in gold and precious stone. But because it is a crime unto me to say, so and to give no example thereof, know ye: that if you spoil and cut of the hear of any woman or deprive her of the colour of her face, though she wear never so excellent in beauty, though she wear thrown down from heaven, sprung of the seas, nourished of the floods, though she wear Venus herself, though she wear accompanied with the Graces, though she wear waited upon of all the court of C●pide, though she wear grided with her beautiful scarf of love, and though she smelled of perfumes and musks, yet if she appeared bald: she could in no wise please, ●o, not her own Vulcanus. O how well doth a fair colour, and a shining face agree with glittering hear? Behold it encountereth with the beams of the sun, and pleaseth the eye marvelously. Sometimes the beauty of the hear resembleth the colour of Gold and honey, sometimes the blue plume and assured feathers about the necks of doves, especially when it is either annoin●ted with the gum of Arabia, or trimly tuft out with the teeth of a fine comb, which if it be tied up in the pole of the neck, it seemeth to the lover (that beholdeth the same) as a glass that yieldeth forth a more pleasant and gracious comeliness then if it should be sparsed abroad on the shoulders of the woman or hang down scattering behind. Finally, there is such a dignity in the hear, that what so ever she be, though she never be so bravely attired with gold, silks, precious stones, and other rich & gorgeous ornaments, yet if her hear be not curiously set forth, she cannot seem fair. But in my Fotis, her garments unbraste and unlaste, did increase her beauty, her hear hanged about her shoulders, and was dispersed abroad upon her partlette, and in every part of her neck, howbeit the greater part was trussed up in her pole with a lace: Then I unable to sustain the broylinge heat, which I was in, ran upon her and kissed the place, where she had thus laid her hear, whereat she turned her face, and cast her rolling eyes upon me, saying: O scholar thou hast tasted now both honey and gall, take heed that thy pleasure do not turn into repentance: tush (ꝙ I) my sweet heart, I am contented for such an other kiss to be broiled here upon this fire, wherewithal I embraced & kissed her more often, and she embraced and kissed me likewise, and moreover her breath smelled like sinnamome, and the liquor of her tongue was like unto sweet Nectar, wherewith when my mind was greatly delighted, I said: behold Fotis I am yours, & shall presently die, unless you take pity upon me, which when I had said, she eftsoons kissed me and bid me be of good courage, and I will (ꝙ she) satisfy your whole desire, and it shallbe no longer delayed then until night, when as (assure yourself) I will come and lie with you, wherefore go your ways & prepare yourself, for I intend valiantly, and courageously to encounter with you this night: Thus when we had lovingly talked and reasoned together, we departed for that time.   

¶ How Birrhena sent victuales unto Apuleius, and how he talked with Milo, of Diophanes, and how be lay With Folis.  
Cap. 10.  
WHen noon was come Birrhena sent unto me a fat pig, five hens, and a flagon of old wine. Then I called Fotis and said, 
Such meat fears up 〈◊〉 excidingh.  behold how Bacchus the egger and stirrer of venery doth of far himself of his own accord, let us therefore drink up this wine, that we may prepare ourselves, and get us courage against soon, for Venus wanteth no other provision than this, that the lamp may be all the night replemshed with oil, & the cups filled with wine: The residue of the day I passed away at the banns, and in banqueting, and towards evening I went to supper, for I was bid by Milo, and so I sat down at the table, out of Pamphiles sight as much as I could, being mindful of the commandment of Birrhena and sometimes I wonlde cast mine eyes upon her, as if I should look upon the furies of Hell, but I (es●sones turning my face behind me, and beholding my Fotis ministering at the table) was again refreshed and made merry. And behold when Pamphiles did see the candle standing on the table, she said, verily we shall have much rain to morrow, which when her husband did here, he demanded of her, by what reason she knew it: Marry (● she) the light on the table doth show the fame: then Milo laughed and said, usrely we neurishe and bring up a Sibelle prophecier, which by the view of a candle doth divine of Celestial things, and of the Sun itself: Then I mused in my mind and said unto Milo: Of truth it is a good experience and proof of divination, neither is it any marvel, for although this light is but a small light and made by the hands of man, yet hath it a remembrance of that great and heavenly light, as of his parent, and doth show unto us, what will happen in the skies above: For I knew at Corinthe a certain man of Assiria, who would give answers in every part of the City, and for the gain of money would tell every man his fortune, to some he would tell the days of their marriages, to other he would tell when they should build, that their edifices should continue: to other, when they should best go about their assayres: to other when they should travel by land: to other when they should go by seas: and to me (purposing to take my journey hither) he declared many things strange and variable. For sometimes he said that I should win glory ●nough, sometimes he said, I should write a great History, sometimes again he said, that I should devise an incredible tale, and sometimes, that I should make Books. Whereat Milo laughed again, and inquired of me of what stature this man of Assiria was, and what he was named: In faith (ꝙ I) he is a tall man, and somewhat black and he is called Diophanes. Then said Milo the same is he and no other, who semblably hath declared many things here unto us, whereby he got and obtained great substance and treasure. But the poor miser fell at length into the hands of unpitiful and cruel fortune. For being on a day amongst a great assembly of people, to tell the simple sort their fortune, a certain Cobbler came unto him, 
A pretty tale.  and desired him to tell when it should be best for him to take his voyage, the which he promised to do: the Cobbler opened his purse, and told a hundred pence to pay him for his pains, whereupon came a certain young Gentleman, & took Diophanes by the garment: Then he turning himself embraced and kissed him, and desired the Gentleman (who was one of his acquaintance) to sit down by him. And Diophanes being astonished with this sudden chance forgot what he was doing, & said: O dear friend you are heartily welcome, I pray you when arrived you into these parts: then answered he I will tell you soon, but brother I pray you to tell me of your coming from the Isle of Euboea, and how you sped by the way, whereunto Diophanes (this notable Assyrian, not yet come unto his mind but half amazed) gave answer and said, I would to God that all our enemies and evil willers might fall into the like dangerous peregrination and trouble, for the ship where we were in, (after that it was by the waves of the seas, and by the great tempests t●ssed hither and thither, in great peril, and after that the mast and stern brake likewise in pieces) could in no wise be brought unto the shore, but sunk into the water, and so we did swim and hardly escape to land: and after that, what so ever was given unto us, in recompense of our losses, either by the pity of strangers or by the benevolence of our friends, was taken away from us by thieves, 
D●ophanes told the fortune of others, but his own he could not tell.  whose violence when my brother Arisuatus did assay to resist, he was cruelly murdered by them before my face. These things when he had sadly declared, the cobbler took up his money again, which he had told out to pay for the telling of his fortune and ran away: Then Diophanes coming to himself, perceived what he had done, and we all that stood by laughed greatly. But that, (ꝙ Milo) which Diophanes did tell unto you Lucius, that you should be happy, and have a prosperous journey, was only true: Thus Milo reasoned with me, but I was not a little sorry in that I had trained him in such a vain of talk, that I lost a good part of the night, and the sweet pleasure thereof, but at length I boldly said unto Milo. Let Diophanes farewell with his evil fortune, & get again that which he lost by sea and land, for I verily do yet feel the weariness of my travel, wherefore I pray you pardon me, and give me licence to depart to head, wherewithal I rose up & went unto my chamber, where I found all things finely prepared, and the children's bed (because they should not here, what we did in the night) was removed far of without the chamber door. The table was all covered with such meats as was lest at supper, the cups were filled half full with water to temper & delay the wines, the flagon stood ready prepared, and there did nothing lack which was necessary for the preparation of Venus: And when I was entering into the bed, behold my Fotis (who had brought her mistress to sleep) came in & gave me roses and flowers, which she had in her apron, and some she threw about the bed, and she kissed me sweetly, & tied a garland about my head, and bespread the chamber with the residue. Which when she had done, she took up a cup of wine, and delayed it with hot water, and proffered it me to drink, & before I had drunk up all, she pulled it from my mouth, and then gave it me again, and in this manner we emptied the pot twice or thrice together. Thus when I had well replenished myself with wine, and was now ready unto Venery not only in mind but also in body, I removed my clothes, and (showing to Fotis my great impatiency) I said, O my sweet heart take pity upon me and help me: for as you see, I am now prepared unto the battle which you yourself did appoint, for after that I felt the first arrow of cruel Cupid within my breast, I bent my how very strong, and now fear (because it is bended so hard) lest the string should break, but that thou mayst the better please me, undress thy hear and come and embrace me lovingly, wherewithal (she made no long delay) but set aside all the meat and wine, and then she unapparelled herself, and unatired her hear, presenting her amiable body unto me, in manner of fair Venus, when she goeth under the waves of the sea. Now (ꝙ she) is come the hour of iustinge, now is come the time of war, wherefore show thyself like unto a man, for I will not retire, I will not fly the field, see then thou be valiant, see thou be courageous since, there is no time appointed when our skirmish shall cease: In saying these words she came to me to bed, and embraced me sweetly, and so we passed all the night in pastime and pleasure, and never slept till it was day: but we would eftsoons refresh our weariness, and provoke our pleasure, and renew our Venery by drinking of wine. In which sort we pleasantly passed away many other nights following.   

¶ How Apuleius supped with Birrhena, and what a strange tale Bellephoron told at the table.  
Cap. 11.  
IT fortuned on a day that Birrhena desired me earnestly to sup with her, and she would in no wise take any excusation. Whereupon I went unto Fotis to ask counsel of her as of some divine, who (although she was unwilling that I should depart one foot from her company) yet at length she gave me licence to be absent for a while, saying: beware that you sacry not long at supper there, for there is a rabblement of common barrators and disturbers of the public peace that roveth about in the streets, and murdereth all such as they may take, neither can law nor justice redress them in any case. And they will the sooner set upon you, by reason of your comeliness and audacity, in that you are not afeard at any time to walk in the streets. Then I answered and said, have no care of me Fotis, for I esteem the pleasure which I have with thee, above the dainty meats that I eat abroad, & therefore I will return again quickly. Nevertheless I mind not to come without company, for I have here my sword, whereby I hope to defend myself. And so in this sort I went to supper, and behold I found at Birrhenas' house a great company of strangers, and of the chief and principal of the City, the beds (made of Citorne and Ivory) were richly adorned and spread with cloth of Gold, the cups were garnished preciously, and there was divers other things of sundry fashion, but of like estimation and price: here stood a glass gorgeously wrought, there stood an other of Crystal finely painted, there stood a cup of glittering Silver, and here stood another of shining Gold, and here was an other of Amber artificially carved, and made with precious stones: Finally there was all things that might be desired, the Servitors waited orderly at the table in rich apparel, the pages arrayed in silk robes did fill great gems, & pearls made in form of cups with excellent wine, than one brought in candles and torches: and when we wear set down and placed in order, we began to talk, to laugh and be merry. And Birrhena spoke unto me, and said: I pray you Cousin how like you our country? Verily I think there is no other City which hath the like Temples, Baynes, and other commodities as we have here: Further we have abundance of householdstuff, we have pleasure, we have ease, and when the Roman merchants do arrive in this City, they are gently and quietly entertained, and all that dwell within this province (when they purpose to solace and repose themselves) do come to this City. Whereunto I answered: Verily (ꝙ I) you tell truth, for I can find no place in all the world, which I like better than this, but I greatly fear, the blind and incuitable trenches of Witchcraft, for they say that the dead bodies are digged out of their graves, & the bones of them that are burned be stolen away, & the toes & fingers of such as are slain, be cut of to afflict and torment such as li●e: And the old Witches assoon as they hear of the death of any person, do forthwith go & uncover the hearse, & spoil the corpse, to work their enchantments: Then an other sitting at the table spoke and said, in faith you say true, neither yet do they spare or favour the living. For I know one not far hence that was cruelly handled by them, who (being not contented with cutting of his nose) did likewise cut of his ears, whereat all the company laughed heartily, and looked upon one that sat at the boards end, who being amazed at their ga●inge, and somewhat angry withal, would have risen from the table, had not Birrhena spoke unto him & said: I pray the friend Telepheron sit still, and according to thy accustomed courtesy, declare unto us the loss of thy nose and ears, to the end that my cousin Lucius may be delighted with the pleasantness of the tale: To whom he answered, a dame you in the office of your bounty shall prevail herein, but the insolency of some is not to be supported. This he spoke very angrily, but Birrhena was earnest upon him & assured him that he should have no wrong at no man's hand, whereby he was enforced to declare the same: And so (lapping up the end of the table cloth and carpette together) he leaned with his elbow thereon, and held out the three forefingers of his right hand in manner of an Orator, and said: When I was a young man I went unto a certain City called Milet, 
A pleasant tale.  to see the games and triumphs there called Olympia, and being desirous to come into this famous province, after that I had traveled over all Thessaly, I fortuned in an evil hour to come to the City Larissa, where (while I went up and down to ●●ewe the streets, to seek some relief for my poor estate, (for I had spent all my money) I espied a tall old man standing upon a stone, in the midst of the market place, crying with a loud voice, and saying: that if any man would watch a dead corpse that night, he should be reasonably rewarded for his pains: which when I hard, I said to one that passed by: what is here to do, do dead men use to run away in this country. Then answered he: hold your peace for you are but a babe and a stranger here, and not without cause you are ignorant how you are in Thessaly, where the women Witches do bite of by morsels the fl●she of the faces of dead men, and thereby work their Sorceries and enchantments. Then (ꝙ I) in good fellowship tell me the order of this custody and how it is: Marry (ꝙ he) first you must watch all the night, with your eyes bend continually upon the corpse, never looking of nor moving aside: For these Witches do turn themselves into sundry kind of beasts, whereby they deceive the eyes of all men, sometimes they are transformed into birds, sometimes into dogs, and mice, & sometimes into flies, moreover they will charm the keapers of the corpse a sleep, neither can it be declared what means and shifts these wicked women do use to bring their purpose to pass: and the reward for such dangerous watching is no more than four or fire shillings: but hearken further, which I had welny forgotten, if the keeper of the dead body do not render (on the morning following) the corpse whole & sound as he received the same, he shallbe punished in this sort. That is: if the corpse be diminished or spoiled in any part of his face hands or toes, the same shallbe diminished and spoiled in the keeper. Which when I hard I took a good heart and went unto the crier, and bid him cease, for I would take the matter in hand, and so I demanded what I should have: Marry (ꝙ he) a thousand pence, but beware I say young man that you do well defend the dead corpse from the wicked Witches, for he was the son of one of the chiefest of the City: Tush (said I) you speak you can not tell what, behold I am a man made all of iron, and have never desire to sleep, and am more quick of sight than Lynx or Argus. I had scarce spoken these words, when he took me by the hand, and brought me to a certain house, the gate whereof was closed fast, so that I went through the wicket, than he brought me into a chamber somewhat dark, and showed me a matron clothed in mourning vesture and weeping in lamentable wise: And he spoke unto her and said: Behold, here is one that will enterprise to watch the corpse of your husband this night, which when she hard, she turned her bloubered face covered with her hear unto me, saying: I pray you young man take good heed, and see well to your office: have no care (ꝙ I) so that you will give me any thing above that which is dew to be given, wherewith she was contented: And then she rose and brought me into a chamber whereas the corpse lay covered with white sheeets, and she called seven witnesses, before whom she showed the dead body, and every part and parcel thereof, and (with weeping eyes) desired them all to testify the matter, which done she said these words of course as follow: Behold his nose is whole, his eyes salve, his ears without scar, his lips untouched, & his chin sound: All which was written and noted in tables, & subscribed with the hands of the witnesses to confirm the same: which done, I said unto the matron: Madam I pray you that I may have all things here necessary: what is that? (ꝙ she) marry said I a great lamp replenished with oil, pots of wine, and water to delay the same, and some other drink and dainty dish that was left at supper, than she shaked her head, and said: Away fool as thou art, thinkest thou to play the glutton here, and to look for dainty meats, where so long time hath not been seen any smoke at all? comest thou hither to eat, where we should weep and lament? and there withal she turned back and commanded her maiden Mirrhena to deliver me a lamp with oil, which when she had done, they closed the chamber door and departed. Now when I was alone I rubbed mine eyes, and armed myself to keep the corpse, and to the intent I would not sleep, I began to sing, and so I passed the time till it was midnight, when as behold there crept in a Weasel into the chamber, and she came against me & put me in very great fear, in so much that I marveled greatly of the audacity of so little a beast. To whom I said, get thee hence thou whore, and hie thee to thy fellows, lest thou feel my fingers? why wilt not thou go? Then incontinently she ran away, and when she was gone, I fell on the ground so fast a sleep, that Apollo himself could not discern whether of us two was the dead corpse, for I lay prostrate, as one without life, and needed a keeper likewise. At length the cocks began to crow declaring that it was day, wherewithal I waked and (being greatly afeard) ran unto the dead body with the lamp in my hand, and I viewed him round about: And immediately came in the Matron weeping with her witnesses, & ran unto the corpse & eftsoons kissing him, turned his body and found no part diminished: Then she commanded one Philodespotus her steward to pay me my wages forthwith, which when he had done, he said: we thank you gentle young man for your pains, and verily for your diligence herein, we will account you as one of the family. Whereunto I (being joyous of my unhoped gain, and ratlinge my money in my hand) did answer: I pray you madame esteem me as one of your servitors, and if you need my service at any time I am at your commandment. I had not fully declared these words, when as behold all the servants of the house were assembled with weapons to drive me away, one buffeted me about the face, an other about the shoulders, some stroke me in the sides, some kicked me, and some tore my garments, and so I was handled amongst them and driven from the house (as the proud young man Adonis who was torn by a Boar). And when I was come into the next street, I mused with myself and remembered mine unwise and unadvised words which I had spoken, whereby I considered that I had deserved much more punishment, and that I was worthily beaten for my folly: And by and by the corpse came forth, which (because it was the body of one of the chief of the City) was carried in funeral pomp round about the market place, according to the rite of the country there. And forthwith stepped out an old man weeping and lamenting and ran unto the bier and embraced it, and with deep sighs & sobs cried out in this sort: O masters I pray you by the faith which you profess, and by the duty which you own unto the weal public, take pity and mercy upon this dead corpse, who is miserably murdered, and do vengeance on this wicked and cursed woman his wife, which hath committed this fact. For it is she and no other, that hath poisoned her husband, my sister's son, to the intent to maintain her whoredom and to get his heritage. In this sort the old man complained before the face of all the people. Then they (astonished at these sayings and because the thing seemed to be true) cried out, burn her, burn her, and they sought for stones to throw at her, and willed the boys in the street to do the same: but she (weeping in lamentable wise) did swear by all the gods that she was not culpable of this crime. No (ꝙ the old man)? Behold here is one sent by the providence of God to try out the matter, even Zachlas an Egyptian, who is the most principal Prophecier in all this country, and who was hired of me for money to reduce the soul of this man from Hell, and to revive his body for the trial hereof. And therewithal he brought forth a certain young man clothed in linen raiment, having on his feet a pair of pantofles, and his crown shaven, who kissed his hands and knees, saying: O Priest have mercy, have mercy, I pray thee by y● celestial Planets, by the powers infernal, by the virtue of the natural Elements, by the silences of the night, by the buildings of swallows nigh unto the town of Copton, by the increase of the flood Nilus, by the secret mysteries of Memphis, and by the instruments and trumpets of the Isle Pharos, have mercy I say, and call again to life this dead body, and make that his eyes which be closed and shut, may be opened & see, howbeit we mean not to strive against the law of death, neither intend we to deprive the earth of his right, but (to the end this fact may he known) we crave but a small time and space of life, whereat this Prophet was moved, and took a certain herb, & laid it three times upon the mouth of the dead, and he took an other, and laid it upon his breast in like sort: Thus when he had done, he turned himself into the East, and made certain Orisons unto the Sun, which caused all the people to marvel greatly, & to look for this strange miracle that should happen: Then I pressed in amongst them nigh unto the bier, and got upon a stone to see this mystery, and behold incontinently the dead body began to receive spirit, his principal veins did move, his life came again and he held up his head, & spoke in this sort. Why do you call me back again to this transitory life, that have already tasted of the water of leech, and likewise been in the deadly den of Stir? leave of I pray, leave of, and let me lie in quiet teste: when these words were uttered by the dead corpse, the Prophet drew nigh unto the bier, and said: I charge thee to tell (before the face of all the people here) the occasion of thy death, what dost thou think that I cannot by my comurations call up the dead? and by my puissance torment thy body? Then the corpse moved up his head again, and made reverence unto the people, & said: Verily I was poisoned by the means of my wicked wife, & so thereby yielded my bed unto an adulterer. Whereat his wife taking present audacity, & reproving his sayings with a cursed mind, did deny it: the people were bend against her sundry ways, some thought best that she should be buried alive with her husband, but some said y● there aught no credit to be given unto the dead body, which opinion was clean taken away by the words that the corpse spoke again, & said: Behold I will give you some evident token, which never yet any other man knew, whereby you shall perceive that I declare the truth, & by and by he pointed towards me that stood on the stone, & said: when this, the good guardian of my body watched me diligently in the night, & that the wicked Witches & enchanteresses came into the chamber to spoil me of my limbs, & to bring such their purpose to pass, did transform themselves into the shape of beasts: And when as they could in no wise deceive or beguile his vigilant eyes, they cast him into so dead & sound a sleep that by their Wicthcrafte he seemed without spirit or life. After this they called me by my name, & did never cease till as the cold members of my body began by little & little to revive: then he (being of more lively soul, howbeit buried in sleep, in that he & I wear named by one name, and because he knew not that they called me) rose up first, & as one without sense or persenerance passed by the door fast closed unto a certain hole, whereas the Witches cut of first his nose, & then his ears, & so that was done to him, which was appointed to be done to me. And that such their subtlety might not be perceived, they made him a like pair of ears and nose of wax, wherefore you may see that the poor miser for lucre of a little money, sustained loss of his members. Which when he had said, I was greatly astonished, and (minding to prove whether his words were true or no) put my hand to my nose, & my nose fell of, and put my hand to mine ears, and mine ears fell of. Whereat all the people wondered greatly, and laughed me to scorn? but I (being strooken in a cold sweat) crept between their legs for shame, & escaped away. So I disfigured returned home again, & covered the loss of mine ears, with my long hear, and glued this clout to my face to hide my shame. Assoon as Telephoron had told his tale, they which sat at the table, (replenished with wine) laughed heartily. And while they drank one to an other, Birrhena spoke to me, and said: From the first foundation of this City, we have had a custom to celebrate the festival day of the God Kisus, & to morrow is the feast, when as I pray you to be present to set out the same more honourably, and I would with all my heart that you could find or devise somewhat of yourself, that might be in honour of so great a God: to whom I answered: Verily Cousin I will do as you command me, & right glad would I be if I might invent any laughing or merry matter to please or satisfy Kisus withal: 
Kisus the God if sport.  Then I rose from the table, and took leave of Birchena and departed, and when I came into the first street my torch went out, that with great pain I could scarce get home, by reason it was so dark, and for fear of stumbling. And when I was welny come unto the door, behold I saw three men of great stature hevinge and lifting at Milos gates to get in. And when they saw me, they wear nothing afeard, but assayed with more force to break down the doors, whereby they gave me occasion and not without cause to think that they wear strong thieves. Whereupon I, by and by, drew out my sword which I carried for that purpose under my cloak, and ran in amongst them, and wounded them in such sort that they fell down dead before my face. Thus when I had slain them all, I knocked, sweeting and breathing at the door, till Fotis let me in. And then full weary with the slaughter of these thieves, like Hercules when he fought against the King Geryon, I went to my chamber and laid me down to sleep.    

The third Book of Lucius Apuleius of the Golden Ass.  

¶ How Apuleius was taken and put in prison for Murder.  
Cap. 12.  
WHen morning was come, and that I was awaked from sleep, my heart burned sore, with remembrance of the murder which I had committed the night before: and I rose and sat down on the side of the bed, with my legs a cross, and wringing my hands, weeping in miserable sort. For I imagined with myself, that I was brought before the judge in the judgement place, and that he awarded sentence against me, & that the hangman was readdie to lead me to the gallows. And further I imagined, and said: Alas what judge is he that is so gentle or benign that will think that I am vugiltie of the slaughter & murder of these three men? How be it, the Assyrian Diophanes did firmly assure unto me, that my peregrination and voyage hither should be prosperous. But while I did thus unfold my sorrows, and greatly bewail my fortune, behold, I hard a great 'noys and cry at the door, and in came the Magistrates and Officers, who commanded two sergeants to bind me, & lead me to prison, whereunto I was willingly obedient, and as they led me through the street, all the City gathered together and followed me, and although I looked always on the ground for very shame, yet sometimes I cast my head aside, and marveled greatly that amongst so many thousand people there was not one but laughed exceedingly. Finally, when they had brought me through all the streets of the city, in manner of those as go in procession, & do sacrifice to mitigate the Ire of the Gods, they placed me in the judgement hall, before the seat of the judges: & after that the crier commanded all men to keep silence, the people desired the judges to give sentence in the great Theatre by reason of the great multitude that was there, whereby they wear in danger of stifling. And behold the press of people increased still, some climbed to the top of the house, some got upon the beams, some upon the images, and some thrust in their heads through the windows, little regarding the danger they were in, so they might see me. Then the officers brought me forth openly into the middle of the hall that every man might behold me. And after that the crier had made an oies & willed all such as would bring any evidence against me should come forth, there stepped out an old man, with a glass of water in his hand, dropping out softly, who desired that he might have liberty to speak during the time of the continuance of the water, which when it was granted he began his Oration in this sort.   

¶ How Apuleius was accused by an old man, and how he answered for himself.  
Cap. 13.  
O Most reverend and just judges, the thing which I purpose to declare unto you, is no small matter but toucheth the estate and tranquillity of this whole City, and the punishment thereof may be a right good example to others. Wherefore I pray you most venerable fathers to whom, and to every of whom it doth appertain to provide for the dignity & safety of the common weal, that you would in no wise suffer this wicked homicide, imbrued with the blood of so many murdered Citizens to scape unpunished. And think you not that I am moved hereunto by envy or hatred, but by reason of mine office in that I am captain of the night watch, and because no man alive should accuse me to be remiss in the same I will declare all the whole matter, orderly, as it was done this last night.  
This night past when as at our accustomed hour I 
The invective 〈◊〉 against Apuleius.  diligently searched every part of the City: Behold, I fortuned to espy this cruel young man, drawing out his sword against three Citizens, & after a long combat fought between them, he murdered one after an other miserably, which when he had done (moved in his conscience at so great a crime) he ran away, & aided by reason of darkness, slipped into a house & there lay hidden all night, but by the providence of the Gods, which suffereth no heinous offences to remain unpunished, he was taken by us this morning before he escaped any further, & so brought hither to your honourable presence to receive his desert accordingly. So have you here a guilty person, a culpable homicide, & an accused stranger, wherefore pronounce ye judgement against this man being an alien, when as you would most severely & sharply revenge such an offence found in a known Citizen. In this sort the cruel accuser finished & ended his terrible tale: then the crier commanded me to speak, if I had any thing to say for myself, but I could in no wise utter any word at all for weeping. And on the other side I esteemed not so much his rigorous accusation, as I did consider mine own miserable conscience. Howbeit (being inspired by divine audacity) at length I gan say: 
The answer of Apuleius.  Verily I know that it is a hard thing for him, that is accused to have slain three persons, to persuade you that he is not innocent although he should declare the whole truth, & confess the matter how it was in deed, but if your Honours will vouchsalue to give me audience, I will show you that if I be condemned to die, I have not deserved it by mine own desert, but that I was moved by fortune, and reasonable cause to do that fact. For returning somewhat late from supper yesternight (being well tippled with wine, which I will not deny) and approaching nigh unto my common lodging, which was in the house of one Milo a Citizen of this City, I fortuned to espy three great thieves attempting to break down his walls & gates, and to open the locks to enter in. And when they had removed the doors out of the hooks, they consulted amongst themselves, how they would handle such as they found in the house: And one of them being of more courage, & of greater stature than the rest, spoke unto his fellows, and said: Tush you are but boys, take men's hearts unto you, and let us enter into every part of the house, & such as we find a sleep let us slay, and such likewise as resist let us kill, and so by that means we shall escape without danger. Verily, ye judges, I confess that I drew out my sword against those three citizens, but I thought that it was the office & duty of one that heareth good will to this weal public so to do, specially since they put me in great fear, and assayed to rob and spoil mine host Milo. But when those cruel and terrible men would in no case run away, nor fear my naked sword, but boldly resist against me, I ran upon them and fought valiantly. One of them which was the captain invaded me strongly, and drew me by the hear, with both his hands, and began to beat me with a great stone, but in the end I proved the hardy man, and threw him down at my feet and killed him. I took likewise the second that clasped about my legs and bit me, and slew him also. And the third that came running violently against me, after that I had strooken him under the stomach fell down dead. Thus when I had delivered myself, the house, mine host, & all his family from this present danger, I thought that I should not only escape unpunished, but also have some great reward of the City for my pains. Moreover I, that have always been clear and unspotted of crime, and that have esteemed mine innocency above all the treasure of the world, can find no reasonable cause why upon mine accusation I should be condemned to die: since, First I was moved to set upon the thieves by just occasion: Secondly, because there is none that can affirm, that there hath been at any time either grudge or hatred between us: Thirdly, we were men mere strangers and of no acquaintance: Last of all, no man can prove that I committed that fact for any lucre or gain. When I had ended my words in this sort. Behold, I wéeped again piteously, and holding up my hands, I prayed all the people by the mercy of the common weal, and for the love of my poor infants and children, to show me some pity and favour. And when I saw their hearts somewhat relented and moved by my lamentable tears, I called all the Gods to witness that I was unguilty of the crime, and so to their divine providence I committed my present estate, but turning myself again, I perceived that all the people laughed encéedingly, and especially my good friend and host Milo. Then thought I with myself: Alas where is faith? where is remorse of conscience? Behold I am condemned to die as a murderer, for the saluegarde of mine host Milo and his family. Yet is he not contented with y●, but likewise laugheth me to scorn, where otherwise he should comfort and help me.   

¶ How Apuleius was accused by two women, and how the slain bodies were found blown bladders.  
Cap. 14.  
WHen this was done, out came a woman weeping into the middle of the Theatre arrayed in mourning vesture, and bearing a child in her arms. And after her came an old woman in ragged robes crying and howling likewise: And they brought with them the Olive bows wherewith the three slain bodies were covered on the bier, and cried out in this manner: O right judges we pray you by the justice & humanity which is in you, to have mercy upon these slain persons, and secure our widowhood and loss of our dear husbands, and especially this poor infant, who is now an orphan and deprived of all good fortune: And execute your justice by order & law upon the blood of this thief who is the occasion of all our sorrows. When they had spoken these words, one of the most ancient judges did rise, and say: touching this murder which deserveth great punishment, this malefactor himself cannot deny, but our duty is to inquire & try out, whether he had no coadjutors to helps him. For it is not likely, that one man alone could kill three such great & valiant persons, wherefore the truth must be tried out by the rack, & so we shall learn, what other companions he hath, and coote out the nest of these mischievous murderers. And there was no long delay, for according unto the custom of Grecia, the fire, the wheel, & many other torments were brought in: Then my sorrow increased or rather doubled, in that I could not end my life with whole & unperished members. And by & by the old woman, who troubled all the court with her howling desired the judges that (before I should be tormented on the rack) I might uncover the bodies which I had slain, that every man might see their comely shape & youthful beauty, & that I might receive condign & worthy punishment, according to y● quality of the offence, and therewithal she made a sign of joy. Then the judge commanded me forthwith to discover the bodies of the slain, lying upon the bier, with mine own hands, but when I refused a good space, by reason I would not make my fact apparent to the eyes of all men, the sergeants charged me by commandment of the judges, and thrust me forward to do the same: I then (being enforced by necessity) though it wear against my will, uncovered their bodies: but O good Lord, what a strange sight did I see? what a monster? what sudden change of all my sorrows? I seemed as though I wear one of the house of Proserpina, & of the family of death, in so much that I could not sufficiently express y● form of this new sight, so far was I amazed & astonished thereat: For why, the bodies of the three slain men were no bodies, but three blown bladders mangled in divers places, and they seemed to be wounded in those parts, where I remember I wounded the thieves the night before: Whereat the people laughed excéedingely. Some rejoiced marvelously with the remembrance thereof, some held their stomachs that ached with joy, but every man delighted at this passing sport, and so departed out of the Theatre. But I from the time that I uncovered the bodies stood still as cold as ice, no otherwise then as the other statues & images there, neither came I unto my right senses until such time as Milo mine host came and took me by the ●hand, and with civil violence led me away weeping and sobbing where I would or no: & because that I might not be seen, he brought me through many blind ways and lanes to his house, where he went about to comfort me being sad and yet fearful, with gentle entreaty of talk: but he could in no wise mitigate my impatiency of the injury which I conceived within my mind. And behold, by and by the Magistrates and judges with their ensigns entered into the house and endeavoured to pacify me in this sort, saying: O Lucius we are advertised of your dignity, and know the genealogy of your ancient lineage, for the nobility of your kin do possess the greatest part of all this province. And think not that you have suffered the thing wherefore you weep, to any your reproach or ignominy, but put away all care and sorrow out of your mind: For this day which we celebrate once a year in honour of the God Risus, is always renoumpned with some solemn Novel, and the god doth continually accompany with the inventor thereof, and will not suffer that he should be sorrowful, but pleasantly bear a joyful face. And verily all the City for the grace that is in you, intend to reward you with great honours & to make you a patron. And further that your statue or image shallbe set up for a perpetual remembrance. To whom I answered: As for such benefits as I have received already of this famous City of Thessaly, I yield and render most entire thanks, but as ●ouchinge the setting up of any statues or images, I would wish that they should be reserved for mine ancients and such as are more worthy than I. When I had spoken these words somewhat gravely, & showed myself more merry than I was before, the judges and Magistrates departed, and I reverently took my leave of them and bid them farewell. And behold, by and by there came one running to me in haste, and said: Sir, your cousin Birrhena desireth you to take the pains, according to your promise yesternight, to come to supper, for it is ready. But I greatly fearing to go any more to her house in the night, said unto the messenger: My friend I pray you to tell my cousin your Mistress that I would willingly be at her commandment, but for breaking my troth & credit. For mine host Milo enforced me to assure him, and compelled me by the few of this present day, that I should not depart from his company, wherefore I pray you to excuse me and to differ my promise to an other time. And while I was speaking these words, Milo took me by the hand & led me towards the next bane, but by the way, I went couching under him to hide myself from the sight of men, because I had ministered such an occasion of laughter: And when I had washed & wiped myself and returned home again, I never remembered any such thing, so greatly was I ashamed at the nodding and pointing of every person. Then I went to supper with Milo, where God wot we fared but poorly. Wherefore (feigninge that my head did ache by reason of my sobbing & weeping all the day) I desired licence to depart to my chamber and so I went to bed.   

¶ How Fotis told to Apuleius, what Witchcratie her Mistress did use:  
Cap. 15.  
WHen I was a bed I began to call to mind all the sorrows and griefs that I was in the day before until such time as my love Fotis (having brought her Mistress to sleep) came into the chamber not as she was wont do, for she seemed nothing pleasant neither in countenance nor talk, but with a sour face & frowning look, 'gan speak in this sort. Verily, I confess that I have been the occasion of all thy trouble this day, and therewithal she pulled out a whip from under her apron, and delivered it to me saying, revenge thyself of me mischievous harlot or rather slay me. And think you not that I did willingly procure this anguish and sorrow unto you I call the Gods to witness. For I had rather suffer mine own body to be punished, then that you should receive or sustain any harm by my means, but that which I did was by the commandment of an other, and wrought (as I thought) for some other, but behold the unlucky chance fortuned on you by mine evil occasion. Then I very curious & desirous to know the matter, answered: in faith (ꝙ I) this most pestilent & evil favoured whip (which thou hast brought to scourge thee withal) shall first be broken in a thousand pieces, then that it should touch or hurt thy delicate and dainty skin, but I pray you tell me, how have you been the cause and mean of my trouble and sorrow. For I dare swear by the love that I bear unto you, & I will not be persuaded (though you yourself should endeavour the same) that ever you went about to trouble or harm me: Perhaps sometimes you imagined an evil thought in your mind, which afterwards you revoked but that is not to be deemed as a crime. When I had spoken these words, I perceived by Fotis eyes being wet with tears, and welnie closed up, that she had a desire unto pleasure, and specially because she embraced & kissed me sweetly. And when she was somewhat restored unto joy she desired me that she might first shut the chamber door, lest by the untemperance of her tongue in uttering any unfitting words there might grow further inconvenience. Wherewithal she barred and propped the door and came to me again, and embracing me lovingly about the neck with both her arms, spoke with a soft voice and said, I do greatly fear to discover the privities of this house, and to utter the secret mysteries of my Dame: But I have such a confidence in you and in your wisdom, by reason that you are come of so noble a line and endued with so profound sapience, and further instructed in so many holy & divine things, that you will faithfully keep silence, and that what so ever I shall reveal or declare unto you, you would close them within the bottom of your heart, and never discover the same: for I ensure you the love that I bear unto you enforceth me to utter it. Now shall you know all the estate of our house, now shall you know the hidden secrets of my Mistress, unto whom the powers of Hell do obey, and by whom the celestial planets are troubled, the Gods made weak, and the Elements subdued, neither is the violence of her art in more strength and force, then when she espieth some comely young man that pleaseth her fancy as oftentimes it happeneth. For now she loveth one Beotian a fair and beautiful person, on whom she employeth all her sorcery & enchantment, & I hard her say with mine own ears yesternight, that (if the Sun had not then presently gone down, & the hight come to minister convenient time to work her Magical enticements) she would have brought perpetual darkness over all the world herself. And you shall know that when she saw yesternight this Beotian sitting at the barber's a polinge, when she came from the banns, she secretly commanded me to gather some of the hear of his head, which lay dispersed upon the ground, and to bring it honey: which when I thought to have done, the Barbour espied me, and by reason it was bruited through out all the City that we wear Witches and enchantresses, he cried out, and said: Will you never leave of stealing of young men's hears? In faith I assure you unless you cease your wicked sorceries, I will complain to y● justices: wherewithal he came angrily towards me, & took away the hear which I had gathered, out of mine apron, which grieved me very much. For I knew my mistress manners, that she would not be contented, but beat me cruelly. Wherefore I intended to run away, but the remembrance of you put always that thought out of my mind, & so I came homeward very sorrowful, but because I would not seem to come in my mistress sight with empty hands, I saw a man shearing of blown goat skins, and the hear that he had shorn of was yellow, and much resembled the hear of Beotian: And I took a good deal thereof, and colouring the matter, brought it to my Mistress. And so when night came, before your return from supper, she (to bring her purpose to pass) went up to a high gallery of her house, opening to the East part of the world, and preparing herself according to her accustomed practice, she gathered together all her substance for fumigations, she brought forth plates of metal carved with strange characters, she prepared the bones of such as were drowned by tempest in the seas, she made ready the members of dead men, as their nostrils and fingers, She set out the lumps of flesh of such as wear hanged, the blood which she had reserved of such as wear slain, and the jaw bones, & teeth of wild beasts, than she said certain charms over the hear, and dipped it in divers waters, as in well water, cow milk, mountain honey and other liquor, which when she had done she tied and lapped it up together, and with many perfumes and smells threw it into a hot fire to burn. Then by the great force of this sorcery, and the violence of so many confections, those bodies (whose hear was burning in the fire) received humane shape, and felt, hard, and walked. And (smelling the sent of their own hear) came and rappid at our doors in steed of Boetius. Then you being well tippled, & deceived by the obscurity of the night, drew out your sword courageously, like furious Ajax, and killed, (not as he did the whole heard of beasts) but three blown skins, to the intent that I after the slaughter of so many enemies without effusion of blood, might embrace and kiss not an homicide but an Vtricide: thus when I was pleasantly mocked and taunted by Fotis, I said unto her: Verily, now may I for this achieved enterprise be numbered, as Hercules who by his valiant prowess performed the twelve notable labours, as Geryon with three bodies, and as Cerberus with three heads. For I have s●aine three blown goat skins, but to the end that I may pardon thee of that which thou hast committed, perform the thing which I shall most earnestly desire of thee, that is, bring me that I may see and behold when thy Mistress goeth about any Sorcery or enchantment, and when she prayeth unto the Gods, for I am very desirous to learn that art, and as it seemeth unto me, thou thyself haste some experience in the same. For this I know and plainly feel, that (whereas I have always yrked and loathed the embracings and love of Matrons) I am so stricken and subdued, with thy shining eyes, ruddy cheeks, glittering hear, sweet cosses and lily white paps, that I neither have mind to go home, nor to depart hence, but esteem the pleasure which I shall have with thee this night, above all the joys of the world: Then (ꝙ she) O my Lucius how willing would I be to fulfil your desire, but by reason she is so hated, she getteth herself into solitary places, and out of the presence of every person when she mindeth to work her enchantmentes, how be it I regard more to gratify your request, than I do esteem the danger of my life: and when I see opportunity and time I will assuredly bring you word, so that you shall see all her enchantment, but always upon this condition that ye secreately keep close such things as are done: thus as we reasoned together the courage of Venus assailed aswell our desires as our members: And so she unrayed herself and came to bed, and we passed the night in pastime and dalliance, till as by drowsy and unlusty sleep I was constrained to lie still.   

¶ How Fotis brought Apuleius to see her Mistress Enchant.  
Cap. 16.  
ON a day Fotis came running to me in great fear, and said that her Mistress (to work her sorceries on such as she loved) intended, the night following, to transform herself into a bird, and to fly whither she pleased, wherefore she willed me privily to prepare myself to see the same. And when midnight came she led me softly into a high chamber, & bid me look through the chink of a door. Where first I saw how she put of all her garments, and took out of a certain coffer sundry kind of boxes, of the which she opened one and tempered the ointment therein with her fingers, and then rubbed her body therewith from the sole of the foot to the crown of the head: And when she had spoken privily with herself, having the candle in her hand she shaked the parts of her body, and behold I perceived a plume feathers did burgeon out, her nose waxed crooked and hard, her nails turned into claws, & so she became an Owl: Then she cried and skriched like a bird of that kind, & willing to prove her force, moved herself from the ground by little & little, till at last she flew quite away: Thus by her Sorcery she transformed her body into what shape she would. Which when I saw I was greatly astonished & although I was enchanted by no kind of charm, yet I thought that I seemed not to have the likeness of Lucius, for so was I banished from my senses amazed in madness, & so I dreamt waking, that I felt mine eyes to know whether I wear a sleep or no. But when I was come again to myself, I took Fotis by the hand, & moved it to my face, & said: I pray thee while occasion doth serve that I may have the fruition of the fruits of my desire, and grant me some of this ointment. O Fotis I pray the by thy sweet paps, to make that in the great flames of my love I may be turned into a bird, so will I ever hereafter be bound unto you & obedient to your commandment. Then said Fotis will you go about to deceive me now? and enforce me to work mine own sorrow? Are you in that mind that you will not tarry in Thessaly? if you be a bird where shall I seek you? and when shall I see you? Then answered I: God forbid that I should commit such a crime. For though I could fly into the air as an Eagle, or though I were the messenger of jupiter, yet would I have recourse to nest with thee. And I swear by the knot of thy amiable hear, that since the time that I first loved thee, I never fancied any other person: moreover this cometh to my mind, that if by virtue of the ointment I shall become an Owl, I will take heed that I come nigh no man's house. For I am not to learn how these matrons would handle their lovers if they knew that they were transformed into Owls: moreover when they are taken in any place, they are nailed upon posts, and so they are worthily rewarded, because it is thought that they bring evil fortune to the house. But I pray you (which I had almost forgotten) tell me by what means, when I am an Owl, I shall return to my pristine shape and become Lucius again? Fear not (ꝙ she) for my Mistress hath taught me the way to bring that to pass, neither think 〈◊〉 that she did it for any good will or favour, but to the end I might help her, & minister some remedy when she returns home. Consider I pray you with yourself, with what friu●lous trifles so marvelous a thing is wrought, for by Hercules I swear, I give her nothing else, save a little dill & laurel leaves in well water, the which she drinketh and washeth herself withal: which when she had spoken she went into the chamber, & took a box out of the coffer, which I first kissed and embraced, and prayed that I might have good success in my purpose. And then I put of all my garments and greedily thrust my hand into the box, and took out a good deal of ointment and rubbed myself withal.   

¶ How Apuleius thinking to be turned into a Bird, was turned into an Ass, and how he was led away by thieves.  
Cap. 17.  
AFter that I had well rubbed every part & member of my body, I hovered with mine arms, & moved myself, looking still when I should be changed into a bird as Pamphile was, and behold neither feathers nor appearance of feathers did burgeon out, but verily my hear did turn into ruggedness, & my tender skin waxed tough and hard, my fingers and toes losing the number of five changed into hooves, and out of mine arse grew a great tail, now my face became monstrous, my nostrils wide, my lips hanging down, and mine ears rugged with hear: Neither could I see any comfort of my transformation, for my members increased likewise, and so without all help (viewing every part of my poor body) I perceived that I was no bird, but a plain Ass. Then I thought to blame Fotis, but being deprived aswell of language as humane shape, I looked upon her with my hanging lips and watery eyes, who (assoon as she espied me in such sort) cried out alas poor wretch that I am, I am utterly cast away. The fear that I was in, & my haste hath beguiled me, but especially the mistaking of the box hath deceived me. But it forceth not much, since as a sooner medicine may be gotten for this, then for any other thing. For if thou couldst get a Rose and eat it, thou shouldest be delivered from the shape of an Ass, and become my Lucius again. And would to God I had gathered some garlands this evening past according to my custom, than thou shouldest not continue an Ass one nights space, but in the morning I will seek some remedy. Thus Fotis lamented in pitiful sort, but I that was now a perfect Ass, and for Lucius a bruit beast, did yet retain the sense and understanding of a man. And did devise a good space with myself, whether it were best for me to tear this mischievous and wicked harlot with my mouth, or to kick and kill her with my heels. But a better thought reduced me from so rash a purpose, for I feared least by the death of Fotis I should be deprided of all remedy and help. Then shaking my head and dissimuling mine ire, and taking mine adversity in good part, I went into the stable to mine owne-horse, where I found an other Ass of Miloes, sometime mine host, and I did verily think that mine own horse (it there were any natural conscience or knowledge in brute beasts) would take pity upon me, & proffer me lodging for that night, but it chanced far otherwise: For see my horse & the Ass, as it wear, consented together to work my harm, & fearing lest I should eat up their provender, would in no wise suffer me to come nigh the manger, but kicked me with their heels from their meat, which I myself gave them the night before: Then I, being thus handled by them & driven away, got me into a corner of the stable, where (while I remembered their uncourtesy, and how on the morrow I should return to Lucius by the help of a Rose, when as I thought to revenge myself of mine own horse) I fortuned to espy in the middle of a pillar sustaining the rafters of the stable, the Image of the Goddess Hippone, which was garnished and decked round about with fair fresh Roses: then in hope of present remedy I leapt up with my fore feet as high as I could, and stretching out my neck, and with my lips coveted to snatch some Roses. But in an evil hour did I go about that enterprise, for behold, the boy to whom I gave charge of my horse came presently in, and finding me climinge upon the pillar, ran freatinge towards me, and said: How long shall we suffer this vile Ass, that doth not only eat up his fellows meat, but also would spoil the images of the Gods? why do I not kill this lame thief, and weak wretch? & therewithal looking about for some kidgel, he espied where lay a faggot of wood, & choosing out a crabbed truncheon of the biggest he could find, did never cease beating of me poor wretch, until such time as by great 'noys and rumbling, he hard the doors of the house burst open, and the neighbours crying in lamentable sort, which enforced him (being strooken in fear) to fly his way. And by and by a troup of thieves entered in, and kept every part & corner of the house with weapons. And as men resorted to aid and help them which wear within the doors, the thieves resisted & kept them back, for every man was armed with his sword and Target in his hand, the glympses whereof did yield out such light as if it had been day. Then they broke open a great chest with double locks and bolts, wherein was laid all the treasure of Milo, and ransakt the same, which when they had done they packed it up, and gave every one a portion to carry, but when they had more than they could bear away, yet wear they loath to leave any behind, they came into the stable, and took us two poor Asses, and my horse, and jaded us with greater trusses than we wear able to bear. And when we wear out of the house, they followed us with great staves, and willed one of their fellows to tarry behind, and bring them tidings what was done concerning the robbery, and so they beat us forward over great hills out of the high way. But I, what with my heavy burden, and my long journey did nothing differ from a dead Ass, wherefore I determined with myself to seek some civil remedy, and by invocation of the name of the Prince of the country, to be delivered from so many miseries. And on a time as I passed through a great fair, I came amongst a multitude of Greeks, and I thought to call upon the renowned name of the Emperor, & to say: O Cesar, and I cried out aloud, O, but Cesar I could in no wise pronounce: the thieves little regarding my crying did lay me on, and beat my wretched skin in such sort, that after it was neither apt nor meet to make sieves or sarces. How be it at last jupiter ministered unto me an unhoped remedy. For when we had passed through many towns & villages, I fortuned to espy a pleasant garden, wherein, besides many other flowers of delectable hew, wear new and fresh Roses, and (being very joyful and desirous to catch some as I passed by) I drew nearer and nearer, and while my lips watered upon them, I thought of a better advise more profitable for me: lest if from an Ass I should become a man, I might fall into the hands of the thieves, and either by suspicion that I wear some Witch, or for fear that I would utter their theft, I should be slain, wherefore I abstained for that time from eating of Roses. And (enduring my present adversity) I eat hay as other Asses did.    

The fourth Book of Lucius Apuleius of the Golden Ass.  

¶ How Apuleius thinking to go to eat Roses, was cruelly beaten by a Gardener and chased by Dogs.  
Cap. 18.  
WHen noon was come, that the broylinge heat of the Sun had most power, we turned into a village to certain of the thieves acquaintance and friends, for verily their meeting and embracing together, did give me (poor Ass) cause to deem the same: And they took the truss from my back, and gave them part of the treasure which was in it, and they seemed to whisper & tell them that it was stolen goods, and after that we wear unladen of our burdens, they let us lose into a meadow to pasture, but mine own horse, & Milos Ass, would not suffer me to feed there with them, but I must seek my dinner in some other place. Wherefore I leapt into a garden, which was behind the stable, and being wellnigh perished with hunger, although I could find nothing there but raw & green sallettes, yet I filled my hungry guts therewithal abundantly, and praying unto all the Gods, I looked about in every place if I could espy any red Roses in the gardens by, and my solitary being alone did put me in good hope, that if I could find any remedy I should presently of an Ass be changed into Lucius out of every man's sight, and while I considered these things, I looked about, & behold I saw a far of a shadowed valley adjoining nigh unto a wood, where, amongst divers other herbs & pleasant verdures, I thought I saw many flourishing Roses of bright Damask colour. And I said within my bestial mind: verily y● place is the place of Venus & the Graces, where secretly glittereth the royal hew, of so lively & delectable a flower: Then I desiring the help of the guide of my good fortune, ran lustily towards the wood, in so much that I felt myself that I was no more an Ass, but a swift coursing horse, but my agility and quickness could not prevent the cruelty of my fortune: For when I came to the place, I perceived that they were no Roses, neither tender, nor pleasant, neither moisted with the heavenly drops of dew nor celestial liquor, which grew out of the thicket and thorns there. Neither did I perceive that there was any valley at all, but only the bank of the river environed with great thick trees, which had long branches like unto Laurel, & bearing a flower without any manner of scent, and the common people call them by the name of Laurel roses, which be very poison to all manner of beasts. Then was I so entangled with unhappy fortune, that I little esteemed mine own danger, & went willingly to eat of those Roses, though I knew them to be present poison. And as I drew near, I saw a young man that seemed to be the Gardener, come upon me, & when he perceived that I had devoured up all his herbs in the garden, he came swearing with a great staff in his hand, and laid upon me, in such sort that I was wellnigh dead, but I speedily devised some remedy for myself, for I lift up my legs and kicked him with my hinder heels, that I left him lying at the hill foot welnie slain, and so I ran away: incontinently came out his wife, who seeing her husband half dead, cried and houled in pitiful sort, and went toward her husband to the intent that by her loud cries she might purchase to me present destruction: them all the persons of the town, moved and raised by her 'noys came forth, and cried for dogs to tear me down: Out came a great company of bandogs and mastiffs more fit to pull down Bears and Lions than me, whom when I beheld, I thought verily that I should presently die, but I turned myself about & ran as fast as ever I might to the stable from whence I came. Then the men of the town called in their dogs, and took me, and bound me to the staple of a post, and scourged me with a great knotted whip till I was welny dead, and they would undoubtedly have slain me, had it not come to pass that what with the pain of their beating and the green herbs that lay in my guts, I caught such a lask that I all be sprinkled their faces, with my liquid dung, and enforced them to leave of.   

¶ How Apuleius was prevented of his purpose, and how the thieves came to their den.  
Cap 19  
NOt long after, the thieves jaded us again, and especially me, and brought us forth out of the stable, and when we had gone a good part of our journey, what with the long way, my great burden, the beating of staves, and my worn hooves, I was so weary that I could scantly go: then I saw a little before me a river, running with fair water, & I said to myself: behold now I have found a good occasion. For I will fall down when I come yonder, and surely I will not rise again, neither with scourging nor beating, for I had rather be slain there presently, then go any further. And the cause why I determined so to do, was this, I thought that when the thieves did see me so feeble and weak that I could not travel, to the intent they would not stay in their journey, they would take of the burden from my back, and put it upon my fellows, and so for my further punishment to leave me as a pray to the Wolves and ravenous beasts: but evil fortune prevented so good a consideration: For the other Ass, being of the same purpose that I was of, by feigned and coloured weariness, fell down first with all his burden upon the ground as though he wear dead, and he would not rise neither with beating nor pricking, nor stand upon his feet though they pulled him up by the tail, by his legs, and by his ears, which when the thieves beheld, as without all hope, they said one to an other, what should we stand here so long, about a dead, or rather a stony Ass? let us be gone. And so they took his burden, and divided some to me, and some to my horse. And then they drew out their swords and cut of his legs, and threw his body from the point of a hill down into a great valley: then I considering with myself of the evil fortune of my poor companion, and purposed now to forget all subtlety and deceit, and to play the good Ass to get my masters favour, for I perceived by their talk that we wear welny come home to our journeys end. And after that we had passed over a little hill, we came to our appointed place, where, when we wear unladen of our burdens, & all things carried in, I tumbled and wallowed in the dust, to refresh myself, in steed of water. The thing and the time compelleth me to make description of the places, and specially of the den where the thieves did inhabit, I will prove my wit what I can do, and then consider you whether I was an Ass in judgement and sense, or no.  
First, there was an exceeding great hill compassed about with big trees, very high, with many turning bottoms, full of sharp stones whereby it was inaccessible: there was many winding and hollow valleys environed with thickettes and thorns, and naturally fortressed round about: From the top of the hill ran a running river as clear as silver, and watered all the valeis below, that it seemed like unto a sea enclosed, or a standing flood: before the den, where was no hill, stood a high tower, & at the foot thereof wear shepecotes fenced and wattled with clay: Before the gate of the house were paths made in steed of walls, in such sort that you would easily judge it to be a very den for thieves, & there was nothing else save a little coat covered with thatch, wherein the thieves did nightly accustom to watch by order, as after I perceived. And when they were all crept into the house, and we fast tied with halters at the door, they began to chide with an old woman there, crooked with age, who had the government and rule of all the house, and said: How is it old Witch, old trot and strumpet, that thou sittest idly all day at home, and (having no regard to our perilous labours) haste provided nothing for our suppers? but sittest eating and swilling thyself from morning till night: Then the old woman trembled and scantly able to speak, 'gan say: Behold my puissant & faithful masters you shall have meat & pottage enough by and by. Here is first store of bread, wine plenty, filled in clean rinsed pots, likewise here is hot water prepared to bathe you. Which when she had said, they put of all their garments & refreshed themselves by the fire. And after they were washed & anointed with oil, they sat down at the table garnished with all kind of dainty meats: they were no sooner set down, but in came an other company of young men, more in number than was before, who seemed likewise to be thieves: For they brought in their preys of Gold, and Silver, Plate, jewels, & rich robes, & when they had likewise washed, they sat amongst the rest and served one an other by order. Then they drank & eat exceedingly, crying, laughing, & making such 'noys, that I thought I was amongst the tyrannous & wild Lapiths, Thebans, & Centaurs. At length one of them more valiant than the rest spoke in this sort, we verily have manfully conquered the house of Milo of Hypata, & beside all the richesse, & treasure which by force we have brought away, we are all come home salve, and are increased the more by this horse & this Ass. But you that have roved about in the country of Beotia have lost your valiant captain Lamathus. Whose life I more regarded than all this treasure which you have brought. And therefore the memory of him shallbe renowned for ever amongst the most noble Kings, and valiant Captains, but you accustom when you go abroad like men with ganders hearts to creep through every corner and hole for every trifle. Then one of them that came last answered: Why are you only ignorant, that the greater the number is, the sooner they may rob and spoil the house? and although the family be dispersed in divers lodgings, yet every man had rather to defend his own life then to save the richesse of his master, but when there be but a few thieves, then will they rather not only regard themselves, but also their substance, how little or great so ever it be. And to the intent you may believe me I will show you an example: we wear come nothing nigh unto Thebes, where is the fountain of our art and science, but we learned where a rich chuff called Chryseros did dwell, who for fear of offices in the public weal, dissimuled his estate, and lived sole and solitary in a small cote, how be it replenished with abundance of treasure, and went daily in ragged & torn apparel. Wherefore we devised with ourselves to go to his house and spoil him of all his richesses. And when night came, we drew towards his door which was so strongly closed that we could neither move it. nor lift it out of the hooks, & we thought it not best to break it open, least by the 'noys we should raise up (to our harm) the neighbours buy. Then our strong & valiant captain Lamathus trusting his own strength & force, thrust in his hand through a hole of the door, & thought to pull back the bolt, but the covetous caitiff Chryseros being awake & making no 'noys, came softly to the door and caught his hand, & with a great nail nailed it fast to a post, which when he had done, he ran up to a high chamber, & called every one of his neighbours by name, desiring them to secure him with all possible speed, for his house was a fire: Then every one for fear of their own danger came running out to aid him, wherewith we (fearing our present peril) knew not what was best to be done, whether we should leave our companion there, or yield ourselves to die with him, but we by his consent devised a better way: For we cut of his arm by the elbow, & so let it hang there▪ then we bond his wound with clouts, lest we should be traced by the drops of blood, which done we took Lamathus and led him away for fear we should be taken, but when we wear so nigh pursued that we wear in present danger: And that Lamathus could not keep our company by reason of faintness: and on that other side perceiving that it was not for his profit to linger behind, he spoke unto us as a man of singular courage & virtue, desiring us by much entreaty and prayer, and by the puissance of the God Mars, and the faith of our confederacy to deliver his body from torment & miserable captivity: And further he said, how is it possible that so courageous a captain can live without his hand? wherewith he could sometimes rob and slay so many people, I would think myself sufficient happy if I might be slain by one of you: but when he saw that we all refused to commit any such fact, he drew out his sword with his other hand, and after that he had often kissed it, he thrust it clean through his body: Then we honoured the corpse of so puissant a man, and wrapped it in linen clothes and threw him into the sea: so lieth our master Lamathus buried and hid in the grave of water, & ended his life as I have declared: but Alcinus though he wear a man of great enterprise, yet could he not beware by Lamathus, nor volde himself from evil fortune: for on a day when he had entered into an old woman's house to rob her, he went up into a high chamber, where he should first have strangled her, but he had more regard to throw down the bags of money and Gold out at the window to us that stood under: And when he was so greedy that he would leave nothing behind, he went to the old woman's bed where she lay a sleep, and would have taken of the coverlet to have thrown down likewise, but she awaked & (kneeling upon her knees) desired him in this manner: O sir I pray you cast not away such torn and ragged clice into my neighbour's houses, for they are rich enough & need no such things: then Alcinus (thinking her words to be true) was brought in belief that such things as he had thrown out already, and such things as he should throw out after, was not fallen down to his fellows, but into other men's houses, wherefore he went to the window to see, and as he thought to behold the places round about, thrusting his body out of the window, the old woman marked him well, & came behind him softly, and although she had but small strength, yet with a sudden force she took him by the heels & thrust him out headlong, and so he fell upon a marvelous great stone, and burst his ribs, whereby he vomited and spewed flakes of blood, and presently died: Then we threw him into the river likewise, as we had done Lamathus before: When we had thus lost two of our companions, we liked not Thebes, but marched towards the next City called Platea, where we found a man of great fame named Demochares, that purposed to set forth a great game, where should be a trial of all kind of weapons: he was come of a good house, marvelous rich, liberal, and well deserved that which he had, and had prepared many shows and pleasures for the common people: in so much that there is no man can either by wit or eloquence show in words his worthy preparations. For first he had provided all sorts of arms, he greatly delighted in hunting and chasing, he ordained great towers and tables to move hither and thither: he made many places to chase and encounter in: he had ready a great number of men and wild beasts, and many condemned persons were brought from the judgement place to try and fight with those beasts, but amongst so great preparations of noble price, he bestowed the most part of his patrimony in buying of Bears, which he nourished to his great cost, and esteemed more than all the other beasts, which either by chasing he caught himself, or which he dearly bought, or which were given him from divers of his friends, howbeit for all his sumptuous cost, he could not be free from the malicious eyes of envy: for some of them were wellnigh dead, with too long tiing up: some meigre with the broiling heat of the Sun: some languished with lying, but all (having sundry diseases) wear so afflicted taht they died one after an other, and there was welnie none left, in such sort that you might see them lying in the streets piteously dead: And the common people having no other meat to feed on, little regarding any curiosity, would come forth & fill their bellies with the flesh of the Bears. Then by and by Babulus and I devised a pretty sport, we drew one of the greatest of the Bears to our lodging, as though we would prepare to eat thereof, where we flayed of his skin, and kept his ungles whole, but we meddled not with the head but cut it of by the neck, and so let it hang to the skin: Then we razed of the flesh from the back, and cast dust thereon, and set it in the Sun to dry.   

¶ How Thrasileon was disguised in a bears skin, and how he was handled.  
Cap. 20.  
WHile the skin was a driing, we made merry with the flesh, and then we devised with ourselves that one of us, being more valiant than the rest both in body and courage, (so that he would consent thereto) should put on the skin, and (feminge that he wear a Bear) should be led to Demochares house in the night, by which means we thought to be received and let in. Many were desirous to play the Bear, but especially one Thrasileon of a courageous mind would take this enterprise in hand. Then we put him into the bears skin, which fitted him finely in every point, we buckled it fast under his belly, & covered the seam with the hear that it might not be seen. After this, we made little holes through the bears head, & through his nostrils and eyes for Thrasileon to see out and take wind at, in such sort that he seemed a very lively & natural beast: when this was done, we went into a cave which we hired for the purpose, and he crept in after like a Bear with a good courage. Thus we began our subtlety, and then we imagined thus, we feigned letters as though they come from on Nicanor which dwelled in the country of Thracia, which was of great acquaintance with this Demochares, wherein we wrote that he had sent him, being his friend, the first fruits of his coursing and hunting, when night was come (which was a meet time for our purpose) we brought Thrasileon, & our forged letters and presented them to Demochares. When Demochares beheld this mighty Bear, and saw the liberality of Nicanor his friend, he commanded his servant to deliver unto us ten crowns, as he had great store in his coffers: Then (as the novelty of a thing doth accustom to stir men's minds to behold the same) many persons came on every side to see this Bear, but Thrasileon, (lest they should by curious viewing and priing perceive the truth) ran upon them to put them in fear, that they durst not come nigh. The people said: verily Demochares is right happy, in that, after the death of so many beasts, he hath gotten (maugre fortune's head) so goodly a Bear, than Demochares commanded that with great care he should be put into the park by, amongst the other beasts, but I immediately spoke unto him, and said: Sir I pray you take heed how you put a beast tired with the heat of the Sun, and with long travel amongst others, which (as I here say) have divers maladies & diseases: let him rather lie in some open place of your house nigh to some water, where he may take air and ease himself, for do not you know that such kind of beasts do greatly delight ot couch under shadow of trees, & hillocks, nigh unto pleasant wells & waters. Hereby Demochares admonished, and remembering how many he had before that perished, was contented that we should put the Bear where we would: Moreover we said unto him, that we ourselves were determined to lie all night nigh unto the Bear, to look unto him, & to give him meat and drink at his due hour. Then he answered: Verily masters you need not to put yourselves to such pains: for I have men taht serveth for nothing but for that purpose: so we took leave of him and departed, and when we wear come without the gates of the town, we perceived before us a great Sepulchre standing out of the high way, in a privy and secret place. And thither we went and opened the mouth thereof, whereas we found the sides covered with the corruption of man, and the ashes and dust of his long buried body, wherein we got ourselves to bring our purpose to pass, and (having a respect to the dark time of the night according to our custom) when we thought that every man was a sleep, we went with our weapons and besieged the house of Demochares round about: Then Thrasileon was ready at hand, and leapt out of the cavern, and went to kill all such as he found a sleep, but when he came to the porter he opened the gates and let us all in: and then he showed us a large counter, wherein he saw put (the night before) a great abundance of treasure, which when by violence we had broken open, I bid every one of my fellows take as much Gold and Silver as they could bear away, and carry it to the Sepulchre, and still as they carried, I stood at the gate, watching diligently when they would return. The Bear runned about the house to make such of the family afeard as fortuned to wake and come out: For who is he that is so puissant and courageous, that at the ugly sight of so great a Monster will not quail and keep his chamber especially in the night, but when we had brought this matter to so good a point, there chanced a pitiful case: For as I looked for my companions that should come from the Sepulchre, behold there was a boy of the house, that fortuned to look out at a window and espied the Bear running about, and he went and told all the servants of the house, whereupon incontinently they came forth with torches, lanterns, and other lights that they might see all the yard over, they came with clubs, spears, naked swords, greyhounds & mastiffs to slay the poor beast: Then I (during this broil) thought to run away, but because I would see Thrasileon fighting with the dogs, I lay behind the gate to behold him. And although I might perceive that he was wellnigh dead, yet remembered he his own faithfulness and ours, and valiantly resisted the gaping and ravenous mouths of the hellhounds, so took he in 'gree the pageant which willingly he took in hand himself, and with much a do tumbled at length out of the house, but when he was at liberty abroad, yet could he not save himself, for all the dogs of the street joined themselves to the greyhounds & mastiffs of the house, and came upon him: Alas what a pitiful sight it was, when our poor Thrasileon was thus environed & compassed with so many dogs, that tore & rent him miserably, than I (impatient of so great his misery) ran in amongst the press of the people, & (aiding him with my words as much as I might) exhorted them all in this manner. O great & extreme mischance, what a precious and excellent beast have we lost: but my words did nothing prevail. For there came out a tale man with a spear in his hand that trust him clean through, and afterwards many that stood by, drew out their swords & so they killed him. But verily our good captain Thrasileon, the honour of our comfort received his death so patiently, that he would not bewray the league between us, either by crying, howling or any other means, but (being torn with dogs, & wounded with weapons) did yield forth a doleful cry, more like unto a beast then a man. And taking his present fortune in good part, with courage & glory enough did finish his life, with such a terror unto the assembly, that no person was so hardy (until it was day) as to touch him, though he wear stark dead but at last there came a Butcher more valiant than the rest, who (opening the paunch of the beast) slit out a hardy and venturous thief. In this manner we lost our captain Thrasileon▪ but he lost not his fame and honour: when this was done we packed up our treasure, which we committed to the Sepulchre to keep, and got us out of the bounds of Platea, thinking with ourselves that there was more fidelity amongst the dead, then amongst the living, by reason that our prays was so surely kept in the Sepulchre: So (being wearied with the weight of our burdens, & wellnigh tired with long travel, having lost three of our soldiers) we are come home with these present cheats: Thus when they had spoken (in memory of their slain companions) they took cups of Gold & song Hympnes unto the God Mars, & laid them down to sleep. Then the old woman gave us fresh barley without measure, in so much that my Horse said so abundantly that he might well think he was at some banquet that day. But I (that was accustomed to eat bran & flower) thought that but a sour kind of meat, wherefore espying a corner where lay loves of bread for all the house, I got me thither, and filled my hungry guts withal.   

¶ How the thieves stole away a gentle woman, and brought her to their den.  
Cap. 21.  
WHen night was come, the thieves awaked & rose up: and when they had buckled on their weapons, & disguised their faces with visards, they departed, & yet for all the great sleep that came upon me, I could in no wise leave eating, and whereas, when I was a man, I could be contented with one or two loves at the most, now my guts wear so greedy that three pann●ers full would scantly serve me, and while I considered all these things the morning came, and being led to a river, (notwithstanding mine Assy shamefastness) I quenched my thirst. And suddenly after the thieves returned home careful and heavy, bringing no burdens with them, no not so much as traffe or baggage, save only a maiden that seemed by her habit to be some gentle woman borne, and the daughter of some worthy Matron of that country, who was so fair and beautiful, that though I wear an Ass, yet had I a great affection to her: The virgin lamented and tore her hear, & spoiled her garments for the great sorrow she was in, but the thieves brought her within the cave, and assayed to consort her in this sort: Weep not fair Gentle woman we pray you, for be you assured that we will do no outrage nor violence to your person, but take patience a while for our profit: For necessity & poor estate hath compelled us to do this enterprise, we warrant you that your parents (although they be covetous) will be contented to give us a great quantity of money to redeem and ransom you from our hands. With such and like flattering words they endeavoured to appease the gentle woman, how be it she would in no case be comforted but put her head between her knees & cried piteously. Then they called the old woman and commanded her to sit by the maiden, and pacify her dolour as much as she might. And they departed away to rob, as they accustomed to do, but the virgin would not assuage her griefs nor mitigate her sorrow by any entreaty of the old woman, but houled and sobbed in such sort that she made me (poor Ass) likewise to weep, & thus she said: Alas can I poor wretch live any longer, that am come of so good a house, forsaken of all my parents, friends, and family, made a rapine and pray, closed seruily in this stony prison, deprived of all pleasure wherein I have been brought up, thrown in danger, ready to be rent in pieces amongst so many sturdy thieves, and dreadful robbers, can I (I say) cease from weeping or live any longer? Thus she cried and lamented, and after she had wearied herself with sorrow, & bloubered her face with tears, she closed y● windows of her hollow eyes and laid her down to sleep: And after taht she had slept, she rose again, like a furious & mad woman, and beat her breast and comely face more than she did before: Then the old woman inquired the causes of her new and sudden lamentation, to whom (sighing in pitiful sort) she answered: Alas now I am utterly undone, now I am out of all hope, O give me a knife to kill me, or a halter to hang me, whereat the old woman was more angry, & severely commanded her to tell her the cause of her sorrow, and why after her sleep she should renew her dolour & miserable weeping, what think you (ꝙ she) to deceive our young men of the price of your ransom? no, no, therefore cease your crying, for the thieves do little esteem your houlinge, and if you will not, I will surely burn you alive: Hereat the maiden was greatly a●card and kissed her hand, and said: O mother take pity upon me and my wretched fortune, and give me licence a while to speak, for I think I shall not long live, let there mercy be ripe and frank in your venerable hoar head, and here the some of my calamity: There was a comely young man, who for his bounty and grace was beloved entirely of all the town, my cousin germane, & but three years elder than I, we two were nourished and brought up in one house, and lay under one roof and in one chamber, and at length by promise of Marriage, and by consent of our parents we wear contracted together: the Marriage day was come, the house was garnished with Laurel, and torches were set in every place in the honour of Hymeneus, my espouse was accompaigned with his parents, kinsfolk and friends, & made Sacrifice in the Temples & public places: And when my unhappy mother pampered me in her lap, & decked me like a bride kissing me sweetly, & making me a parent for children, behold there came in a great multitude of thieves, armed like men of war, with naked swords in their hands, who went not about to do any harm, neither to take any thing away, but broke into the chamber where I was, & violently took me out of my mother's arms, when none of the family would resist for fear. In this sort was our Marriage distourbed, like the Marriage of Hyppodame & Pirithous: but behold good Mother now my unhappy fortune is renewed & increased: For I dreamt in my sleep that I was pulled out of our house, out of our chamber, and out of my bed, and that I roamed about in solitary and unknown places, calling upon the name of my unfortunate husband, and how that he (assoon as he perceived that I was taken away, even smelling with perfumes & crowned with garlands) did trace me by my steps, desiring the aid of the people to assist him, in that his wife was violently stolen away: And as he went crying up and down, one of the thieves moved by indignation by reason of his pursuit, took up a stone that lay at his feet and threw it at my husband and killed him. By the terror of which sight, and the fear of so dreadful a dream I awaked. Then the old woman rendringe out like sighs, began to speak in this sort, my daughter take a good heart unto you, and be not afeard at feigned and strange visions or dreams, for as the visions of the day are accounted false and untrue, so the visions of the night do often chance contrary. And to dream of weeping, beating and killing, is a token of good luck and prosperous change, whereas contrary, to dream of laughing, carnal dalliance and good cheer, is sign of sadness, sickness, loss of substance and displeasure. But I will tell thee a pleasant tale to put away all thy sorrow and to revive thy Spirits: And so she began in this manner.   

¶ The most pleasant and delectable tale of the Marriage of Cupid and Psyche's.  
Cap. 22.  
THere was sometimes, a certain King, inhabiting in the West parts, who had to wife a noble Dame, by whom he had three daughters exceeding fair: Of whom the two elder wear of such comely shape & beauty, as they did excel and pass all other women living, whereby they wear thought, worthily, so deserve the praise and commendation of every person, and deservedly to be preferred above the residue of the common sort: Yet the singular passing beauty and maidenly Majesty of the youngest daughter, did so far surmount and excel them two, as no earthly creature could by any means sufficiently express or set out the same, by reason whereof (after the fame of this excellent maiden was spread abroad in every part of the City,) the Citizens & strangers there, being inwardly pricked by zealous affection to behold her famous person, came daily by thousands, hundreds and scores to her father's Palace, who as astonished with admiration of her incomparable beauty did no less worship and reverence her, with crosses, signs and tokens, and other divine adorations, according to the custom of the old used rites and ceremonies, then if she wear Lady Venus in deed: And shortly after the fame was spread into the next Cities and bordering Regions, that the Goddess whom the deep seas had borne and brought forth, & the froth of the spurginge waves had nourished, to the intent to show her high magnificency and divine power in earth, 
This maid was thought to be Venus.  to such as erst did honour and worship her: was now conversant amongst mortal men, or else that the earth & not the seas, by a new concourse and influence of the celestial Planets, had budded and yielded forth a new Venus, endued with y● flower of virginity: So daily more and more increased this opinion, and now is her flying fame dispersed into the next Yslelonde, and wellnigh into every part and province of the whole world. Whereupon innumerable strangers, resorted from far countries, adventuring themselves by long journeys on land, and by great perils on water to behold this glorious Virgin. By occasion whereof such a contempt grew towards the Goddess Venus, that no person traveled unto the town Paphos, nor to the isle Gindos, no nor to Cythera to worship her. Her ornaments wear thrown out, her Temples defaced, her pillows and cushions torn, her ceremonies neglected, her Images and statues uncrowned, & her bare altars unswept, and foul with the ashes of old burned sacrifice. For why every person honoured & worshipped this maiden in steed of Venus. And in the morning at her first coming abroad, offered unto her oblations, provided banquets, called her by the name of Venus which was not Venus in deed, and in her honour presented flowers and garlands in most reverent fashion.  
This sudden change and alteration of celestial honour did greatly inflame & kindle the mind of very Venus, who (unable to temper herself from indignation, shaking her head in raging sort) reasoned with herself in this manner: Behold the original parent of all these elements, behold the lady Venus' renowned throughout all the world, with whom a mortal maiden is joined now partaker of honour, my name registered in the City of heaven, is profaned and made vile by terrene absurdities, if I shall suffer any mortal creature to present my Majesty in earth, or that any shall bear about a false surmised shape of my person: then in vain did Paris that sheaparde (in whose just judgement and confidence the great jupiter had affiance) prefer me above the residue of the Goddesses for the excellency of my beauty: but she what so ever she be that hath usurped mine honour, shall shortly repent her of her unlawful estate: And by and by she called her winged son Cupid, rash enough, and hardy, who by his evil manners, contemning all public justice and law, armed with fire & arrows, running up and down in the nights from house to house, and corrupting the lawful marriages of every person, doth nothing but that which is evil, who although that he wear of his own proper nature sufficient prone to work mischief, yet she egged him forward with words and brought him to the City, and showed him Psyche's (for so the maiden was called) and having told the cause of her anger, not without great rage) I pray thee (ꝙ she) my dear child by motherly bond of love, by the sweet wounds of thy percinge darts, by the pleasant heat of thy fire, revenge the injury which is done to thy mother, by the false and disobedient beauty of a mortal maiden, and I pray thee without delay, that she may fall in love with the most miserablest creature living, the most poor, the most crooked, and the most vile, that there may be none found in all the world of like wretchedness. When she had spoken these words, she embraced and kissed her son, & took her voyage towards the sea.  
When she was come to the sea, she began to call the Gods & Goddesses, who were obedient at her voice. For incontinent came the daughter's of Nereus singing with tunes melodiously: Portunus with his bristled & rough beard: Salatia, with her bosom full of fish: Palemon, the driver of the Dolphin, the trumpeters of Triton leaping hither and thither, & blowing with heavenly noys: Such was the company which followed Venus marching towards the Ocean sea.  
In the mean season Psyche's with all her beauty received no fruit of her honour: She was wondered at of all▪ she was praised of all, but she perceived that no King nor Prince, nor any of the inferior sort did repair to woe her. Every one marveled at her divine beauty, as it were at some Image well painted & set out. Her other two sisters, which were nothing so greatly exalted by the people, were royally married to two Kings, but the virgin Psyche's sitting at home alone lamented her solitary life, & being disquieted both in mind and body (although she pleased all the world) yet hated she in herself her own beauty.  
Whereupon the miserable father of this unfortunate daughter suspecting that the Gods & powers of heaven did envy her estate, went unto the town called Milet to receive the oracle of Apollo, where he made his prayers and offered sacrifice: and desired a husband for his daughter, but Apollo though he were a Grecian and of the country of jonia, because of the foundation of Milet yet he gave answer in Latin verse, the sense whereof was this.  

Let Psyche's corpse be clad in mourning weed  
And set on rock of yonder hill aloft  
Her husband is no wight of humane seed  
But Serpent dire and fierce as may be thought  
Who flies with wings above in starry skies  
And doth subdue each thing with fiery flight  
The Gods themselves and powers that seem so wise  
With mighty jove be subject to his might  
The rivers black and deadly floods of pain  
And darkness eke as thrall to him remain.   
The King sometimes happy, when he hard the Prophecy of Apollo returned home sad & sorrowful, and declared to his wife the miserable and unhappy fate of his daughter, than they began to lament, and weep, and passed over many days in great sorrow, but now the time approached of Psyche's marriage, preparation was made, black torches were lighted, the pleasant songs were turned into pitiful cries, the melody of Hymeneus was ended with deadly howling, 
Hymeneu, the God of Marriage.  the maiden that should be married did wipe her eyes with her veil: all the family, and people of the City, wéeped likewise, and with great lamentation was ordained a remiss time for that day, but necessity compelled that Psyche's should be brought to her appointed place, according to the divine commandment. And when the solemnity was ended, they went to bring this sorrowful spouse, not to her marriage, but to her final end and burial. And while the father and mother of Psyche's did go forward, weeping and crying to do this enterprise, Psyche's spoke unto them in this sort: why torment you your unhappy age with continual dolour? why trouble you your spirits, which are more rather mine then yours? why soil ye your faces with tears, which I ought to adore and worship? why tear you my eyes in yours? why pull you your hoar hears? why knock you your breasts for me? now you see the reward of my excellent beauty: now, now, you perceive (but too late) the plague of envy. When the people did honour me and call me new Venus, them you should have wept, than you should have sorrowed, as though I had been then dead: For now I see, and perceive that I am come to this misery by the only name of Venus, bring me, and (as fortune hath appointed) place me on the top of the rock, I greatly desire to end my marriage, I greatly covet to see my husband, why do I delay? why should I refuse him that is appointed to destroy all the world? Thus ended she her words, & thrust herself amongst the people that followed: Then they brought her to the appointed rock of the high hill, and set her thereon and so departed. The torches and lights were put out with the tears of the people, and every man gone home: the miserable parents wellnigh consumed with sorrow, gave themselves to everlasting darkness.  
Thus poor Psyche's being left alone weeping and trembling on the top of the rock, was blown by the gentle air and of shrillinge Zephyrus and carried from the hill, with a meek wind, which retained her garments up, and by little & little brought her down into a deep valley, where she was laid in a bed of most sweet and fragrant flowers.    

The fifth Book of Lucius Apuleius  

Thus fair Psyche's being sweetly couched amongst the soft and tender herbs, as in a bed of soot and fragrant flowers, and having qualified the troubles and thoughts of her restless mind, was now well reposed: And when she had refreshed herself sufficiently with sleep, she rose with a more quiet and pacified mind, and fortuned to espy a pleasant wood environed with great and mighty trees: she espied likewise a running river as clear as Crystal: In the midst of the wood, wellnigh at the fall of the river was a Princely edifice, wrought & builded, not by the art or hand of man, but by the mighty power of God: and you would judge at the first entry therein, that it wear some pleasant and worthy mansion for the powers of heaven. For the embowinge above wear of Cytern, and ivory, propped and undermined with pillars of Gold, the walls covered and sealed with Silver, divers sorts of beasts wear graven and carved, that seemed to encounter with such as entered in: all things wear so curiously and finely wrought, that it seemed either to be the work of some demigod, or God himself, the pavement was all of precious stone, divided and cut one from an other, whereon was carved divers kinds of pictures, in such sort that blessed and thrice blessed wear they which might go upon such a pavement: Every part and angle of the house was so well adorned, that by reason of the precious stones and inestimable treasure there, it glittered and shone in such sort that the chambers, porches, & doors gave light as it had been the Sun. Neither otherwise did the other treasure of the house disagree unto so great a majesty, that verily it seemed in every point a heavenvly palace fabricate & builded for jupiter himself.  
Then Psyche's moved with delectation, approached nigh, & taking a bold heart entered into the house, & beheld every thing there, with great affection, she saw storehouses wrought exceeding fine, & replenished with abundance of richesse. Finally there could nothing be devised which lacked there, but amongst such great store of treasure, this was more marvelous, that there was no closure, bolt, or lock to keep the same. And when with great pleasure she viewed all these things, she hard a voice without any body, that said: Why do you marvel madame at so great richesse? behold all that you see is at your commandment: wherefore, go you into the chamber & repose yourself upon the bed, & desire what bathe you will have, and we whose voices you here be your servants, and ready to minister unto you according to your desire: in the mean season, royal meats and dainty dishes shallbe prepared for you.  
Then Psyche's perceived the felicity of divine providence, & according to the advertisement of the incorporal voices, she first reposed herself upon the bed, & then refreshed her body in the banns. This done she saw the table garnished with meats, & a chair to sit down.  
When Psyche's was set down, all sorts of divine meats and wines wear brought in, not by any body but as it wear with a wind, for she could see no person before her, but only here voices on every side. After that all the services wear brought to the table, one came in and sang invisibly, an other played on the harp, but she saw no man: The harmony of the instruments did so greatly shrill in her ears, y● (though there wear no manner of person) yet seemed she in the midst of a multitude of people.  
All these pleasures finished: when night approached Psyche's went to bed: & when she was laid, that the sweet sleep came upon her, she greatly feared her virginity because she was alone: Then came her unknown husband and lay with her: and after that he had made a perfect consummation of the Marriage, he rose in the morning before day & departed. Sun after came her invisible servants, presenting to her such things as were necessary for her defloration, and thus she passed forth a great while: and (as it happeneth) the novelty of the things by continual custom did increase her pleasure, but specially the sound of the instruments was a comfort unto her being alone.  
During this time that Psyche's was in this place of pleasures, her father & mother did nothing but weep and lament, and her two sisters hearing of her most miserable fortune came with great dolour and sorrow to comfort and speak with their parents.  
The night following Psyche's husband spoke unto her (for she might feel his eyes, his hands & his ears) and said, O my sweet spouse and dear wife, fortune doth menace unto thee imminent peril and danger, whereof I wish thee greatly to beware: For know thou that thy sisters, thinking that thou art dead, be greatly troubled, and are come to the mountain by thy steps, whose lamentations if thou fortune to hear, beware that thou do in no wise either make answer or look up towards them. For if thou do thou shalt purchase to me great sorrow, & to thyself utter destruction. Psyche's (hearing her husband) was contented to do all things as he commanded.  
After that he was departed, & the night passed away, Psyche's lamented & cried all the day following, thinking that now she was past all hope of comfort in that she was closed within the walls of a prison, deprived of humane conversation, and commanded not to aid or assist her sorrowful sisters, no nor once to see them: Thus she passed all the day in weeping, and went to bed at night without any refection of meat or baine.  
Incontinently after, came her husband, who (when he had embraced her sweetly) 'gan say: Is it thus that you perform your promise my sweet wife? what do I find here? pass you all the day and the night in weeping? & will you not cease in your husbands arms? Go too, do what you will, purchase your own destruction, & when you find it so, then remember my words, and repent, but too late: Then she desired her husband more and more, assuring him that she should die, unless he would grant that she might see her sisters, whereby she might speak with them & comfort them, whereat at length he was contented, and moreover he willed that she should give them as much Gold and jewels as she would, but he gave her a further charge, saying: beware that ye covet not (being moved by the pernicious counsel of your sisters) to see the shape of my person, lest by your curiosity you be deprived of so great and worthy estate. Psyche's being glad herewith rendered unto him most entire thanks, and said: Sweet husband I had rather die then to be separate from you: for whosoever you be, I love and retain you within my heart, as if you wear mine own spirit or Cupid himself: but I pray you grant this likewise, that you would command your servant Zephyrus to bring my sisters down into the valley, as he brought me, 
W●men can do● most when they be in bed.  wherewithal she kissed him sweetly, and desired him gently to grant her request, calling him her spouse, her sweet heart, her joy, & her solace, whereby she enforced him to agree to her mind, and when morning came he departed away.  
After long search made, the sisters of Psyche's came unto the hill where she was set on the rock, and cried with a loud voice, in such sort that the stones answered again: And when they called their sister by her name, that their lamentable cries came unto her ears, she came forth, and said: behold, here is she for whom you weep, I pray you torment yourselves no more, cease your weeping: And by & by, she commanded Zephyrus by the appointment of her husband to bring them down: Neither did he delay, for with gentle blasts he retained them up, and laid them softly in the valley: I am not able to express the often embracing, kissing, and greeting, which was between them three, all sorrows and tears were then laid apart: Come in (ꝙ Psyche's) into our house & refresh your afflicted minds with your sister. After this, she showed them the storehouses of treasure, she caused them to hear the voices which served her, the bain was ready, the meats were brought in, & when they had eaten and filled themselves with divine delicates, they conceived great envy within their hearts, and one of them being very curious, did demand what her husband was, of what state, & who was the Lord of so precious a house, but Psyche's, remembering the promise which she made to her husband, feigned that he was a young man, of comely stature, with a flexen beard, and had great delight in hunting in the hills and dales by: And lest by her long talk she should be found to trip or fail in her words, she filled their laps with Gold, Silver and jewels, and commanded Z●phirus to carry them away.  
When they were brought up to the mountain, they took their ways: homeward to their own houses, and murmured with envy that they bore against Psyche's, saying: behold cruel & contrary fortune, behold how we (borne all of one parent) have divers destinies, but especially we, that are the elder two, be married to strange husbands, made as handemaidons, and as it were banished from our country & friends, whereas our younger sister hath so great abundance of treasure and gotten a God to her husband, who hath no skill how to use so great plenty of richesse: saw you not sister what was in the house? what great store of jewels, what glittering robes, what gems, what gold we trod on? That if she have a husband according, as she affirmeth, there is none that liveth this day more happy in all the world than she. And so it may come to pass that at length for the great affection and love which he may bear unto her, he may make her a Goddess, for (by Hercules) such was her countenance, so she behaved herself, that (as a Goddess) she had voices to serve her, and the winds did obey her. 
Such task use gossips when they meet together.  But I poor wretch have first married a husband elder than my Father, more bald than a coote, more weak than a child, and that locketh me up all day in the house. Then said the other sister, and in faith I am married to a husband that hath the gout, twyfolde, crooked, not courageous in paying my debt, I am say to rub, and mollify his stony fingers with divers sorts of oils, & to wrap them in plasters and salves, so that I soil my white and dainty hands, with the corruption of filthy clouts, not using myself like a wife, but more like a servant: and you my sister seem likewise to be in bondage, and servitude, wherefore I cannot abide to see our younger sister in such great felicity, saw you not I pray, how proudly and arrogantly she handled us even now? and how in vaunting herself she uttered her presumptuous mind, how she cast a little Gold into our laps, and (being weary of our company) commanded that we should be borne and blown away? verily I live not nor am a woman, but I will deprive her of all her bliss: And if you my sister be so far bent as I, let us consult together, and not utter our mind to any person, no nor yet to our parents, nor tell that ever we saw her. For it sufficeth that we have seen her, whom it repenteth to have seen: neither let us declare her good fortune to our Father, nor to any other, since as they seem not happy whose richesses are unknown: So shall she know, that she hath sisters (no abjects) but more worthier than she. But now let us go home to our husbands and poor houses, and when we are better instructed let us return to suppress her pride: so this evil counsel pleased these two evil women, and they hid the treasure which Psyche's gave them, and far their hear, renewing their false and forged tears. When their father and mother beheld them weep and lament still, they doubled their sorrows, and griefs, but full of ire and farced with envy they took their voyage homeward, devising the slaughter and destruction of their sister.  
In the mean season the husband of Psyche's did warn her again in the night with these words: Seest thou not (ꝙ he) what peril and danger evil fortune doth threaten unto thee, whereof if thou take not good heed, it will shortly come upon thee: for the unfaithful harlots do greatly endeavour to set their snares to catch thee, and their purpose is to make and persuade thee to behold my face, which if thou once fortune to see (as I have often told) thou shalt see no more: wherefore if these naughty hedges, armed with wicked minds, do chance to come again (as I think no otherwise but that they will) take heed that thou talk not with them, but simply suffer them to speak what they will, howbeit if thou canst not restrain thyself, beware that thou have no communication of thy husband, nor answer a word if they fortune to question of me, so will we increase our stock, and this young and tender child, couched in this young and tender belly of thine, (if thou conceal my secrets) shall be made an immortal God, otherwise a mortal creature. Then Psyche's was very glad that she should bring forth a divine babe, and very joyful in that she should be honoured as a mother: 
So useth young wives to do.  She reckoned & numbered carefully the days and months that passed, and being never with child before, did marvel greatly that in so small a time her belly should swell so big.  
But those pestilent & wicked furies, breathing out their serpentine poison, took shiping to bring their enterprise to pass. Then Psyche's was warned again by her husband in this sort: behold the last day, the extreme case, and the enemies of thy blood, hath armed themselves against us, pitched their camps, set their host in a ray, & are marching towards us, for now thy two sisters have drawn their swords, and are ready to slay thee: O with what force are we assailed this day, O sweet Psyche's I pray thee to take pity on thyself, of me, and deliver thy husband, and this insant within thy belly from so great danger: And see not, neither hear these cursed women, which are not worthy to be called thy sisters, for their great hatred, and breach of sisterly amity, for they will come (like Siren's) to the mountain, and yield out their piteous and lamentable cries: When Psyche's had hard these words, she sighed sorrowfully, and said: O dear husband, this long time you have had experience & trial of my faith, and boubt you not but that I will persever in the same, wherefore command your wind Zephyrus that he may do, as he hath done before, to the intent that where you have charged me, not to behold your venerable face, yet that I may comfort myself with the sight of my sisters. I pray you by these beautiful hears, by these round cheeks, delicate & tender, by your pleasant hot breast, 
The child taketh the shape of the Father.  whose shape and face I shall learn at length by the child in my belly, grant the fruit of my desire, refresh your dear spouse Psyche's with joy, who is bound and linked unto you for ever, I little esteem to see your visage and figure, little do I regard the night & darkness thereof, for you are my only light. Her husband (being as it were enchanted with these words, and compelled by violence of her often embracing, wiping away her tears with his hear) did yield unto his wife. And when morning came departed as he accustomed to do.  
Now her sisters arrived on land, and never rested till they came to the rock, without visiting of their Father and mother, and leapt down rashly from the hill themselves: Then Zephyrus according to the divine commandment brought them down (though it were against his will) & laid them in the valley without any harm. By and by they went into the palace to their sister without leave, & when they had eftsoons embraced their prey, and thanked her (with flattering words) for the treasure which she gave them, they said: O dear sister Psyche's, know you that you are now no more a child but a mother: O what great joy bear you unto us in your belly? what a comfort will it be unto all the house? how happy shall we be that shall see this infant nourished amongst so great plenty of treasure? that if he be like his parents, as it is necessary he should, there is no doubt but a new Cupid shallbe borne: by this kind of means they went about to win Psyche's by little and little, but because they were weary with travel, they sat them down in chairs, and after that they had washed their bodies in baynes, they went into a parlour, where all kind of meats were ready prepared, Psyche's commanded one to play with his Harp, it was done: Then, immediately other sang, other tuned their instruments, but no person was seen, by whose sweet harmony and modulation, the sisters of Psyche's were greatly delighted.  
Howbeit the wickedness of these cursed women was nothing suppressed by the sweet 'noys of these instruments, but they settled themselves to work their treason against Psyche's demanding who was her husband, and of what parentage: Then she (having forgotten, by too much simplicity, that, which she had spoken before of her husband) invented a new answer, & said that her husband was of a great province, a merchant, and a man of a middle age, having his beard entersparsed with grey hears, which when she had said (because she would have no further talk) she filled their laps full of Gold and Silver, and bid Zephyrus to bear them away.  
In their return homeward they murmured with themselves saying, how say you sister to so apparent a lie of Psyche's? For first she said that her husband was a young man of flourishing years & had a flexen beard, and now she saith that it is half grey with age, what is he that in so short space can become so old? you shall find it no otherwise my sister, but that either this cursed quean hath invented a great lie▪ or else that she never saw the shape of her husband: And if it be so that she never saw him, then verily she is married to some God, 
The envious person pine●h as others felicity.  and hath a young god in her belly, but if it be a divine babe and fortune to come to the ears of my mother (as God forbid it should) than may I go & hang myself, wherefore let us go to our parents, and with forged lies let us colour the matter.  
After they were thus inflamed and had visited their parents, they returned again to the mountain, and by the aid of the wind Zephyrus were carried down into the valley, and after they had strained their eye lids to enforce themselves to weep, they called unto Psyche's in this sort: Thou (ignorant of so great evil) thinkest thyself sure and happy, and sittest at home nothing regarding thy peril, where as we go about thy affairs, and are careful lest any harm should happen unto thee, for we are credibly informed, neither can we but utter it unto thee, that there is a great Serpent full of deadly poison, with a ravenous and gaping threat, that lieth with thee every night, remember the oracle of Apollo, who pronounced that thou shouldest be married to a dire and ●erte Serpent, and many of the inhabitants here by, and such as hunt about in the country, affirm that they saw him yesternight returning from pasture and swiming over the river, whereby they do undoubtedly say that he will not pamper thee long with delicate meats, but when the time of delivery shall approach, he will devour both thee & thy child, wherefore advise thyself, whether thou wilt agree unto us that are careful for thy safety, and so avoid the peril of death, and be contented to live with thy sisters, or whether thou wilt remain with the serpent, & in the end to be swallowed into the gowlfe of his body. And if it be so, that thy solitary life, thy conversation with voices, this servile and dangerous pleasure, and the love of the Serpent do more delight thee: say not but that we have played the parts of natural sisters in warning thee. Then the poor & simple miser Psyche's was moved with the fear of so dreadful words, and (being amazed in her mind) did clean forget the admonitions of her husband, & her own promises made unto him. And (throwing herself headlong into extreme misery) with a wane and sallow countenance, scantly uttering a third word, at length 'gan say in this sort: O my most dear sisters I heartily thank you for your great kindness towards me, and I am now verily persuaded that they which have informed you hereof, have informed you of nothing but truth, for I never saw the shape of my husband, neither know I from whence he came, only I here his voice in the night, in so much that I have an uncertain husband, & one that loveth not the light of the day, which causeth me to suspect that he is a beast as you affirm, moreover I do greatly fear to see him, for he doth menace and threaten great evil unto me, if I should go about to spy, and behold his shape, wherefore my loving sisters if you have any wholesome remedy for your sister in danger, give it now presently: Then they opening the gates of their subtle minds, did put away all privy guile, & egged her forward in her fearful thoughts, persuading her to do as they would have her, whereupon one of them began and said, because that we little esteem any peril or danger to save your life, we intend to show you the best way and mean as we may possibly do: Take a sharp razor and put it under the pillow of your bed, and see that you have ready a privy burning lamp with oil, hid under some part of the hanging of the chamber, and (finely dissimuling the matter) when (according to his custom) he cometh to bed and sleepeth sound, arise you secretly, and with your bare feet go and take your lamp, with the razor in your right hand, and with valiant force cut of the head of the poisonous Serpent, wherein we will aid and assist you: and when by the death of him, you shallbe made salve, we will marry you to some comely man. After they had thus inflamed the heart of their sister, (fearing lest some danger might happen unto them by reason of their evil counsel,) they were carried by the wind Zephyrus to the top of the mountain, and so they ran away, and took shiping.  
When Psyche's was left alone (saving that she seemed not to be alone, being stirred by so many furies) she was in a tossinge mind, like the waves of the sea, and although her will was obstinate and resisted to put in execution the counsel of her sisters, yet she was in doubtful and divers opinions touching her calamity, Sometime she would, sometime she would not, sometime she is bold, sometime she feareth, sometime she mistrusteth, sometime she is moved, sometime she hateth the beast, sometime she loveth her husband, but at length the night came, when as she made preparation for her wicked intent.  
Sun after, her husband came, & when he had kissed and embraced her, he fell a sleep: Then Psyche's (somewhat feeble in body and mind, yet moved by cruelty of fate) received boldness & brought forth the lamp, and took the razor, so by her audacity she changed her kind, but when she took the lamp and came to the bed side, she saw the most meek, and sweetest beast of all beasts, even fair Cupid couched fairly, at whose sight the very lamp increased his light for joy, and the razor turned his edge. But when Psyche's saw so glorious a body, she greatly feared, and (amazed in mind, with a pale countenance, all trembling) fell on her knees, and thought to hide the razor, yea verily in her own heart, which she had undoubtedly done, had it not (through fear of so great an enterprise) fallen out of her hand. And when she saw and beheld the beauty of his divine visage, she was well recreated in her mind, she saw his hears of Gold, that yielded out a sweet savour: his neck more white than milk, his purple cheeks, his hear hanging comely behind and before, the brightness whereof did darken the light of the lamp, his tender plume feathers dispersed upon his shoulders like shining flowers, and trembling hither and thither, and his other parts of his body so smooth and soft that it did not repent Venus to bear such a child: at the beds feet lay his bow, quiver, and arrows, that ●e the weapons of so great a God, which, when Psyche's did curiously behold, and marveling at the weapons of her husband took one of the arrows out of the quiver, and pricked herself withal, wherewith she was so grievously wounded that the blood followed, and thereby of her own accord she added love upon love, then more and more broylinge in the love of Cupid, she embraced him and kissed him a thousand times fearing the measure of his sleep: but alas, while she was in this great joy, whether it were for envy, or for desire to touch this amiable body likewise, there fell out a drop of burning oil from the lamp upon the right shoulder of the God. O rash & bold lamp the vile ministry of love, how darest thou be so bold as to burn the God of all fire? when as he invented thee, to the intent that all lovers might with more joy pass the nights in pleasure. The God being burned in this sort, & perceiving that promise and faith was broken he flied away without utterance of any word from the eyes & hands of his most unhappy wife. But Psyche's fortuned to catch him (as he was rising) by the right thigh, and held him fast as he flew above in the air, until such time, that (constrained by weariness) she let go and fell down upon the ground: but Cupid followed her down, and lighted upon the top of a Cypress tree, and angrily spoke unto her in this manner: O simple Psyche's consider with thyself, how I (little regarding the commandment of my mother, who willed me that thou shouldest be married to a man of base & miserable condition) did come myself from heaven to love thee, & wounded mine own body with my proper weapons to have thee to my spouse, and did I seem a beast unto thee, that thou shouldest go about to cut of my head with a razor, who loved thee so well? did not I always give thee in charge? did not I gently will thee to beware? but those cursed aiders and counselours of thine, shallbe worthily rewarded for their pains. 
The absent of lovers is greatest punishmet.  As for thee, thou shalt be sufficiently punished by my absence: When he had spoken these words, he took his dight into the air.  
Then Psyche's fell ●atte on the ground, & as long as she might see her husband, she cast her eyes after him into the air weeping and lamenting piteously, but when he was gone out of her sight, she threw herself into the nerte running river, for the great anguish and dolour that she was in, for the lack of her husband, how be it the water would not suffer her to be drowned, but took pity upon her, in the honour of Cupid which accustomed to broil and burn the river, and so threw her upon the bank amongst the herbs.  
Then Pan the rustical God sitting on the river side, embrasinge and teaching the Goddess Canna to tune her songs and pipes, by whom were feeding the young and tender goats, after that he perceived Psyche's in so sorrowful case, not ignorant (I know not by what means) of her miserable estate, endeavoured to pacify her in this sort: Oh fair maid, I am a rustic & rude herdesman, howbeit (by reason of my old age) expert in many things, for as far as I can learn by conjecture, which (according as wise men do term) is called divination, I perceive by your uncertain gate, your pale hew, your sobbing sighs, and your watery eyes, that you are greatly in love. Wherefore hearken to me, and go not about to slay yourself, nor weep not at all, but rather addore and worship the great God Cupid, and win him unto you by your gentle promise of service. When the God of shepherds had spoken these words, she gave no answer but made reverence unto him as to a God, and so departed.  
After that Psyche's had gone a little way, she fortuned (unwares) to come to a City where the husband of one of her sisters did dwell, which when Psyche's did understand, she caused that her sister had knowledge of her coming. And so they met together, and after great embrasinge and salutation, the sister of Psyche's demanded the cause of her travel thither: Marry (ꝙ she) do not you remember the counsel that you gave me, whereby you would, that I should kill the beast, who under colour of my husband did lie with me every night? you shall understand, that assoon as I brought forth the lamp to see & behold his shape, I perceived that he was the son of Venus, even Cupid himself that lay with me. Then I (being stronken with great pleasure, and desirous to embrace him) could not thoroughly assuage my delight, but alas (by evil chance) the boiling oil of the lamp fortuned to fall on his shoulder, which caused him to awake, who (seeing me armed with fire and weapon) 'gan say. How darest thou be so bold to do so great a mischief? depart from me, and take such things as thou didst bring: for I will have thy sister (and named you) to my wife, & she shallbe placed in thy felicity, and by and by he commanded Zephyrus to carry me away from the bounds of his house.  
Psyche's had scantly finished her tale, but her sister (pierced with y● prick of carnal desire & wicked envy) ran home, & (feigninge to her husband that she had hard word of the death of her parents) took shipping and came to the mountain. And although there blewe a contrary wind, yet being brought in a vain hope she cried, O Cupid take me a more worthy wife, and thou Zephyrus bear down thy mistress, & so she cast herself down headlong from the mountain, but she fell not into the valley neither alive nor dead, for all the members & parts of her body were torn amongst the rocks, whereby she was made a prey unto the birds and wild beasts, as she worthily deserved.  
Neither was the vengeance of the other delayed, for Psyche's traveling in that country fortuned to come to an other City, where her other sister did dwell, to whom when she had declared all such things as she told to her first sister, 
As every virtue is rewarded, so every vice is punished.  she ran likewise unto the rock and was slain in like sort. Then Psyche's traveled about in the country to seek her husband Cupid, but he was gotten into his mother's chamber, and there bewailed the sorrowful wound, which he caught by the oil of the burning lamp.  
Then the white bird the Gull which swimmeth on the waves of the water, flew towards the Ocean sea, where she found Venus washing and bathinge herself: to whom she declared that her son was burned and in danger of death, and moreover that it was a common bruit in the mouth of every person (who spoke evil of all the family of Venus) that her son doth nothing but haunt harlots in the mountain, and she herself, lasciviously, use to riot on the sea, whereby they say that they are now become no more gracious, no more pleasant, no more gentle, but incivil, monstrous & horrible: moreover the marriages are not for any amity, or for love of procreation, but full of envy, discord, & debate. This the curious Gull did clatter in the ears of Venus reprehending her son. But Venus began to cry, and said: what hath my son gotten any love? I pray thee (gentle bird y● dost serve me so faithfully) tell me what she is, & what is her name, that hath troubled my son in such sort, whether she be any of the Nymphs, of the number of the Goddesses, of the company of the Muses, or of the mystery of my Graces? To whom the bird answered. Madam I know not what she is, but this I know, that she is called Psyche's. Then Venus with indignation cried out: what is it she? the usurper of my beauty, the vicar of my name? what did he think that I was a bawd, by whose show he fell acquainted with the maid? And immediately she departed, and went to her chamber, where she found her son wounded as it was told unto her, whom when she beheld she cried out in this sort.  
Is this an honest thing? is this honourable to thy parents? is this reason that thou hast violate and broken the commandment of thy mother and sovereign mistress? And whereas thou shouldest have vexed my enemy with loathsome love, thou haste done contrary: For (being but of tender and unripe years) thou hast with too licentious appetite embraced my most mortal foe, to whom I shallbe made a mother, and she a daughter: Thou presumest and thinkest (thou trifling boy, thou verlette, and without all reverence) that thou art most worthy and excellent, and that I am not able by reason of mine age to have an other son, which if I might have, thou shouldest well understand that I would bear a more worthier than thou, but to work thee a greater despite, I do determine to adopt one of my servants, & to give him these wings, this fire, this bow, and these arrows, and all other furniture which I gave to thee, not for this purpose, neither is any thing given thee of thy father for this intent: but first thou hast been evil brought up, and instructed in thy youth: thou haste thy hands ready and sharp: Thou hast often offended thy ancients and especially me that am thy mother, thou hast pierced me with thy darts, thou contemnest me as a widow, neither dost thou regard thy valiant and invincible Father, and to anger me more thou art amorous of wenches and harlots, but I will cause that thou shalt shortly repent thee, & that this marriage shallbe dearly bought. To what a point am I now driven? what shall I do? whither shall I go? how shall I repress this ●easre? Shall I ask aid of mine enemy Sobriety, whom I have often offended to engender thee? or shall I seek for counsel of every poor and rustical woman? No, no, yet had I rather die, howbeit I will not cease my vengeance, to her must I have recourse for help, & to none other, (I mean to Sobriety) who may correct thee sharply, take away thy quiver, deprive thee of thy arrows, unbend thy bow, quench thy fire, & (which is more) subdue thy body with punishment, and when that I have razed & cut of this thy hear, which I have dressed with mine own hands, and made to glitter like gold, and when I have clipped thy wings which I myself have caused to burgeon, then shall I think to have sufficiently revenged myself upon thee, for the injury which thou hast done: when she had spoken these words she departed in a great rage out of her chamber.  

juno was daughter of Saturn and Opis sister and wife of jupiter. Ceres' other wife called isis wife of Os●ris 〈◊〉 of Egipte▪ she 〈◊〉 supposed to be the Goddess of Harvest.  Immediately, as she was going away, came juno & Ceres demaundinge the cause of her anger: then Venus made answer, verily you are come to comfort my sorrow, but I pray you with all diligence to seek out one whose name is Psyche's, who is a vagabond, and runneth about the countries, and as I think you are not ignorant of the bruit of my son Cupid, and of his demeanour, which I am ashamed to declare: Then they standing and knowing the whole matter, endeavoured to mitigate the ire of Venus in this sort.  
What is the cause madame, or how hath your son so offended that you should so greatly accuse his love, & blame him by reason that he is amorous? And why should you seek the death of her, whom he doth fancy? We most humbly entreat you to pardon his fault, if he have accorded to the mind of any maiden, what do not you know that he is a young man? or have you forgotten of what years he is? doth he seem always unto you to be a child? you are his mother, and a kind woman, will you continually search out his dalliance? will you blame his luxury? will you bridle his love? And will you reprehend your own art and delights in him? what God or man is he, that can endure that you should sow or disperse your seed of love in every place, and to make a restraint thereof within your own doors, certes you will be the cause of the suppression of the public places of young dames. In this sort these Goddesses endeavoured to pacify her mind, and tercuse Cupid with all their power (although he wear absent) for fear of his darts and shafts of love. But Venus would in no wise assuage her heat, but (thinking that they did rather trifle and taunt at her injuries) she departed from them, and took her voyage towards the sea in all haste.    

The sixth Book of Lucius Apuleius  

In the mean season Psyche's hurled herself hither and thither, to seek for her husband, the rather because she thought, that if he would not be appeased with the sweet flattery of his wife, yet he would take mercy upon her at her servile and continual prayers. And (espying a Church on the top of a high hill) she said, what can I tell whether my husband and master be there or no? wherefore she went thither ward, & with great pain & travel, moved by hope, after that she climbed to the top of the mountain, she came to the Temple & went in, whereas, behold she espied shéefes of corn lying on a heap, blades writhed like garlands, & reeds of barley, moreover she saw hooks, scythes, sickels and other instruments to reap, but every thing lay out of order, & as it were cast in by the hands of labourers, which when Psyche's saw, she gathered up & put every thing duly in order, thinking that she would not despise or contemn the Temples of any of the Gods, but rather get the favour & benevolence of them all, by & by Ceres came in, & beholding her busy and curious in her chapel, cried out a far of, and said: O Psyche's needful of mercy, Venus searcheth for thee in every place to revenge herself & to punish thee grievously, but y● hast more mind to be here, and carest for nothing less, than for thy safety. Then Psyche's fell on her knees before her, watering her feet with her tears, wiping the ground with her hear, & with great weeping & lamentation desired pardon, saying: O great & holy Goddess I pray thee by thy plenteous & liberal right hand, by thy joyful ceremonies of harvest, by the secrets of thy sacrifice, by the flying chariots of thy Dragons, by the tillage of the ground of Sicily, which thou hast invented, by the marriage of Proserpina, by the diligent inquisition of thy daughter, & by the other secrets which are within the temple of Eleusis in the land of Athens, take pity on me thy servant Psyche's, and let me hide myself a few dales amongst these shéefes of corn until the ire of so great a Goddess be past, or until that I be refreshed of my great labour & travel. Then answered Ceres: Verily, Psyche's I am greatly moved by thy prayers & tears, & desire with all my heart to aid thee, but if I should suffer thee to be hidden here, I should incur the displeasure of my Cousin, with whom I have made a treaty of peace, and an ancient promise of amity: wherefore I advise thee to depart hence, and take it not in evil part in that I will not suffer thee to abide and remain within my Temple.  
Then Psyche's driven away contrary to her hope, was double afflicted with sorrow, and so she returned back again: and behold, she perceived a far of in a valley a Temple standing within a forest, fair and curiously wrought, and minding to overpass no place, whither better hope did direct her, and to the intent she would desire the pardon of every God, she approached nigh to the sacred doors, whereas she saw precious richesses & vestments igraven with letters of gold, hanging upon branches of trees, and the posts of the Temple, testifying the name of the Goddess juno, to whom they were dedicated, than she kneeled down upon her knees, and embracing the Altar with her hands, and wiping her tears 'gan pray in this sort. O dear spouse and sister of the great God jupiter, which art adored among the great temples of Samos, called upon by women with child, worshipped at high Carthage, because thou werest brought from heaven by the Lion, the rivers of the flood Inachus do celebrate thee, & know that thou art the wife of the great God & the Goddess of Goddesses: All the East part of the world hath thee in veneration, all the world calleth thee Lucina, I pray thee to be mine advocate in my tribulations, deliver me from the great danger which pursueth me, and save me that am wearied with so long labours and sorrow, for I know that it is thou that succourest and helpest such w●men as are with child and in danger. Then juno hearing the prayers of Psyche's, appeared unto her in all her royalty: saying: Certes Psyche's I would gladly help thee, but I am ashamed to do any thing contrary to the will of my daughter in law Venus, whom always I have loved as mine own child, moreover I shall incur the danger of the law entitled, De servo corrupto, Whereby I am forbidden to retain any servant fugitive against the will of his master.  
Then Psyche's cast of likewise by juno, as without all hope of the recovery of her husband, reasoned with herself in this sort, now what comfort or remedy is left to my afflictions, when as my prayers will nothing avail with the Goddesses? what shall I do? whither shall I go? In what cave or darkness shall I hide myself to avoid the furor of Venus? why do I not take a good heart, and offer myself with humility unto her whose anger I have wrought, what do I know whether he (whom I seek for) be in the house of his mother or no? Thus being in doubt, poor Psyche's prepared herself to her own danger, & devised how she might make her orison and prayer unto Venus.  
After that Venus was weary with searching by sea and land for Psyche's, she returned toward heaven, & commanded that one should prepare her chariot, which her husband Vulcanus gave unto her by reason of marriage, so finely wrought that neither Gold nor silver could be compared to the brightness thereof, four white pigeons guided the chariot with great diligence, and when Vlenus was entered in, a number of sparrows flew chirping about, making sign of joy, and all other kind of birds sang sweetly foreshowing the coming of the great Goddess: the clouds gave place, the heavens opened, & received her joyfully, the birds that followed nothing feared the Eagles, Hawks, and other ravenous fowl in the air. Incontinently she went unto the rial Palace of the God jupiter, and with a proud & bold petition demanded the service of Mercury in certain of her affairs, whereunto jupiter consented, then with much joy she descended from heaven with Mercury, & gave him an earnest charge to put in execution her words, saying: O my brother, borne in Arcadia, thou knowest well that I (who am thy sister) did never enterprise to do any thing without thy presence, thou knowest also how long I have sought for a girl and cannot find her, wherefore there resteth nothing else save that thou with thy trumpette do pronounce the reward to such as take her, see thou put in execution my commandment, and declare that what so ever he be that retaineth her, wittingly, against my will shall not defend himself by any mean or excusation: which when she had spoken, she delivered unto him a libel wherein was contained the name of Psyche's and the reside we of his publication, which done she departed away to her lodging. By and by, Mercurius (not delaying the matter) proclaimed through out all the world, that what so ever he were that could tell any tidings of a kings fugitive daughter, the servant of Venus, named Psyche's, should bring word to Mercury, and for reward of his pains he should receive seven sweet cosses of Venus. After that Mercury had pronounced these things, every man was inflamed with desire to search out Psyche's.  
This proclamation was the cause that put away all doubt from Psyche's, who was scantly come in sight of the house of Venus, but one of her servants called Custom came out, who espying Psyche's, cried with a loud voice, saying: O wicked harlot as thou art, now at length thou shalt know that thou haste a mistress above thee, what dost thou make thyself ignorant as though thou didst not understand what travel we have taken in searching for thee, I am glad that thou art come into my hands, thou art now in the gulf of Hell, & shalt abide the pain and punishment of thy great contumacy, and there withal she took her by the hear, & brought her in before the presence of Venus.  
When Venus espied her, she began to laugh, & as angry persons accustom to do, she shaked her head and scratched her right ear, saying: O goddess, Goddess, you are now come at length to visit your mother, or else to see your husband, that is in danger of death by your means, be you assured I will handle you like a daughter, where be my maidens Sorrow, and Sadness? To whom (when they came) she delivered Psyche's to be cruelly tormented, than they fulfilled the commandment of their Mistress, and after they had piteously scourged her with whips & rods, they presented her again before Venus. Then she began to laugh again, saying: Behold she thinketh (that by reason of her great belly which she hath gotten by playing the hoore) to move me to pity, and to make me a grandmother to her child: Am not I happy, that in the flourishing time of all mine age shallbe called a grandmother, and the son of a vile harlot shallbe accounted the Nephew of Venus? How be it I am a fool to term him by the name of a son, since as the marriage was made between unequal persons, in the fields, without witnesses, & not by the consent of their parents, wherefore the marriage is illegitimate, and the child (that shallbe borne) a bastard, if we fortune to suffer thee to live so long till thou be delivered.  
When Venus had spoken these words she leapt upon the face of poor Psyche's, and (tearing her apparel) took her violently by the hear, & dashed her head upon the ground. Then she took a great quantity of wheat, barley, will, popy seed, peason, lintels, and beans, and mingled them all together on a heap, saying: thou evil favoured girl, thou seemest unable to get the grace of thy lover, by no other means, but only by diligent & painful service, wherefore I will prove what thou caused do, see that thou separate all these grains one from an other, disposing than orderly in their quality, and let it be done before night. When she had appointed this task unto Psyche's, she departed to a great banquet that was prepared that day.  
But Psyche's went not about to dissever the grain (as being a thing impossible to be brought to pass by reason it lay so confusely scattered) but being astonished at the cruel commandment of Venus, sat still & said nothing: Then the little Pismere the Emote, takings pity of her great difficulty & labour, cursing the cruelness of the wife of jupiter and of so evil a mother, ran about hither and thither, and called to her all the Ants of the country, saying: I pray you my friends, ye quick sons of the ground the mother of all things, take mercy on this poor maid espoused to Cupid, who is in great danger of her person, I pray you help her withal diligence. Incontinently one came after an other dissevering & dividing the grain, & after that they had put each kind of corn in order, they ran away again in all haste.  
When night came, Venus returned home from the banquet well tippled with wine, smelling of balm, & crowned with garlands of Roses, who when she espied what Psyche's had done, 'gan say, this is not the labour of thy hands, but rather of his that is amorous of thee, than she gave her a morsel of brown bread, and went to sleep.  
In the mean season Cupid was closed fast in the most surest chamber of the house, partly because he should not hurt himself with wanton dalliance, and partly because he should not speak with his love, so these two lovers wear divided one from an other.  
When night was passed, Venus called Psyche's & said: seest thou yonder forest that extendeth out in length with the river, there be great sheep shining like gold, and kept by no manner of person, I command thee that thou go thither and bring me home some of the wool of their fleeces. Psyche's arose willingly, not to do her commandment, but to throw herself headlong into the water to end her sorrow. Then a green reed inspired by divine inspiration with a gracious tune and melody 'gan say. O Psyche's, I pray thee not to trouble or pollute my water by the death of thee, and yet beware that thou go not towards the terrible sheep of this coast, until such time as the heat of the Sun be past, for when the Sun is in his force, then seem they most dreadful, and furious, with their sharp horns, their stony foreheads, & their gaping throats wherewith they arm themselves to the destruction of mankind: but until the midday is past and the heat assuaged, and until they have refreshed themselves in the river, thou mayst hide thyself here by me under this great plane tree: and as soon as their great fury is past, thou mayst go among the thickettes and bushes under the wood side and gather the locks of their golden fleeces, which thou shalt find hanging upon the briars. Thus spoke the gentle and benign Reed, showing a mean to Psyche's to save her life, which she bore well in memory, and with all diligence went and gathered up such locks as she found & put them in her apron, and carried them home to Venus: how be it the danger of this second labour did not please her, nor give her sufficient witness of the good service of Psyche's, but with a sour resemblance of laughter, she said: Of certainty I know that this is not thy fact, but I will prove if thou be of so stout a courage, and singular prudency as thou seemest.  
Then Venus spoke unto Psyche's again: saying, Seest thou the top of yonder great hill, from whence there runneth down water of black & deadly colour, which nourisheth the floods of Styx and Cocytus, I charge thee to go thither and bring me a vessel of that water: wherewithal she gave her a bottle of Crystal, menacinge and threatening her rigorously.  
Then poor Psyche's went in all haste to the top of the mountain, rather to end her life then to fetch any water, and when she was come up to the ridge of the hill, she perceived that it was impossible to bring it to pass: For she saw a great rock gusshinge out most horrible fountains of waters, which ran down & fell by many stops and passages into the valley beneath, on each side she saw great Dragons, stretching out their long and bloody necks, that never slept, but appointed to keep the river there: the waters seemed to themselves likewise: saying, Away, away, what wilt thou do? Fly, fly, or else thou wilt be slain: then Psyche's (seeing y● impossibility of this affair) stood still as though she were transformed into a stone, & although she was present in body, yet was she absent in spirit and sense, by reason of the great peril which she saw, in so much that she could not comfort herself with weeping, such was the present danger that she was in.  
But the royal bird of great jupiter, the Eagle, remembering his old service, which he had done, when as by the prick of Cupid he brought up the boy Ganimides' to the heavens, to be made the butler of jupiter, & minding to show the like service in the person of the wife of Cupid, came from the high house of the skies, & said unto Psyche's: O simple woman, without all experience, dost thou think to get or dip up any drop of this dreadful water? No, no, assure thyself thou art never able to come nigh it, for the Gods themselves do greatly fear at the sight thereof: what have you not hard that it is a custom among men to swear by the puissance of the Gods: And the Gods do swear by the Majesty of the river Styx? but give me thy bottle, and suddenly he took it, and filled it with the water of the river, and taking his flight through those cruel and horrible Dragons brought it unto Psyche's: who being very joyful thereof presented it to Venus, who would not yet be appeased, but menacinge more & more, said: what thou seemest unto me a very Witch & Enchaunteresse, that bringest these things to pass, how be it thou shalt do one thing more.  
Take this boar & go to hell to Proserpina, and desire her to send me a little of her beauty, as much as will serve me the space of one day, and say that such as I had is consumed away since my son fell sick, but return again quickly, for I must dress myself therewithal, withal, & go to the threatre of the Gods, them poor Psyche's perceived the end of all her fortune, thinking verily that she should never return, & not without cause, when as she was compelled to go to the gulf & furies of Hell. Wherefore without any further delay, she went up to a high tower to throw herself down headlong (thinking that it was the next and readiest way to Hell) but the tower (as inspired) spoke unto her, saying: O poor miser why goest thou about to slay thyself? why dost thou rashly yield unto thy last peril and danger? know thou that if thy spirit be once separate from thy body, thou shalt surely go to Hell, but never to return again, wherefore hearken to me: Lacedaemon a City of Grece is not far hence: Go thou thither and inquire for the hill Tenarus, whereas thou shalt find a hole leading to Hell, even to the palace of Pluto, but take heed that thou go not with empty hands to that place of darkness: but carry two sops sodden in the flower of barley and honey in thy hands, & two halfpens in thy mouth, and when thou hast passed a good part of that way, thou shalt see a lame Ass carrying of wood, & a lame fellow driving him, who will desire thee to give him up the sticks that fall down, but pass thou on and do nothing, by and by thou shalt come unto the river of Hell, whereas Charon is ferry-man, who will first have his fare paid him, before he will carry the souls over the river in his boat, whereby you may see that avarice reigneth amongst the dead, neither Charon nor Pluto will do any thing for nought: For if it be a poor man that would pass over, and lacketh money he shallbe compelled to die in his journey before they will show him any relief, wherefore deliver to carrion Charon one of the halfepens (which thou bearest) for thy passage, & let him receive it out of thy mouth. And it shall come to pass as thou sittest in the boat, thou shalt see an old man swiming on the top of the river holding up his deadly hands, and desiring thee to receive him into the bark, but have no regard to his piteous cry: when thou art passed over the blood thou shalt espy old women spinning who will desire thee to help them, but beware thou do not consent unto them in any case, for these and like baits and traps will Venus set, to make thee let fall one of thy sops: and think not that the keeping of thy sops is a light matter, for if thou lose one of them thou shalt be assured never to return again to this world. Then thou shalt see a great and marvelous dog with three heads barking continually at the souls of such as enter in, by reason he can do them no other harm, he lieth day and night before the gate of Proserpina, and keepeth the house of Pluto with great diligence, to whom if thou cast one of thy sops, thou mayst have access to Proserpina without all danger: she will make thee good cheer, and entertain thee with delicate meat & drink, but sit thou upon the ground and desire brown bread, and then declare thy message unto her, and when thou hast received such beauty as she giveth, in thy return appease the rage of the dog with thy other sop, & give thy other halfpenny to covetous Charon, and come the same way again into the world as thou goest: but above all things have a regard that thou look not in the box, neither be not to curious about the treasure of the divine beauty.  
In this manner the tower spoke unto Psyche's, and advertised her what she should do: and immediately she took two halfpennies, two sops, and all things necessary and went to the mountain Tenarus to go towards Hell.  
After that Psyche's had passed by the lam● Ass, paid her halfpenny for passage, neglected the old man in the river, denied to help the women spinning, and filled the ravenous mouth of the dog with a sop, she came to the chamber of Proserpina. There Psyche's would not sit in any royal seat, nor eat any delicate meats, but kneeling at the feet of Proserpina, only contented with course bread, declared her message, and after she had received a mystical secret in the box she departed, and stopped the mouth of the dog with the other sop, and paid the boatman the other halfpenny.  
When Psyche's was returned from hell, to the light of the world she was ravished with great desire, saying: Am not I a fool that knowing that I carry here the divine beauty, will not take a little thereof to garnish my face, to please my lover withal? and by and by she opened the box, where she could perceive no beauty nor any thing else, save only an infernal and deadly sleep, which immediately invaded all her members assoon as the box was uncovered, in such sort that she fell down on the gronnde, & lay there as a sléepinge corpse.  
But Cupid being now healed of his wound and malady, not able to endure the absence of Psyche's, got him secretly out at a window of the chamber where he was enclosed, and (receiving his wings) took his flight towards his loving wife, whom when he had found he wiped away the sleep from her face, and put it again into the box, and awaked her with the tip of one of his arrows, saying: O wretched caitiff, behold thou wearest wellnigh perished again, with thy overmuch curiosity, well, go thou, & do thy message to my mother, and in the mean season I will provide for all things accordingly: wherewithal he took his flight into the air, and Psyche's brought her present to Venus.  
Cupid being more and more in love with Psyche's, & fearing the displeasure of his mother, did pierce into the heavens, & arrived before jupiter to declare his cause: then jupiter after that he had eftsoons embraced him, 'gan say in this manner: O my well-beloved son, although thou hast not given due reverence & honour unto me as thou oughtest to do, but hast rather soiled, & wounded this my breast (whereby the laws and order of the elements & planets be disposed) with continual assaults of terren luxury & against all laws, & the discipline julia, & the utility of the public weal in transforming my divine beauty into serpents, fire, savage beasts, birds▪ & into bulls. Howbeit remembering my modesty, & that I have nourished thee with mine own proper hands. I will do & accomplish all thy desire, so that thou canst beware of spiteful & envious persons. And if there be any excellent maiden of comely beauty in the world, remember yet the benefit which I shall show unto thee, by recompense of her love towards me again. When he had spoken these words, he commanded Mercury to call all the Gods to counsel, and if any of the celestial powers did fail of appearance, he should be condemned in ten thousand pounds: which sentence was such a terror unto all the Gods, that the high Theatre was replenished, & jupiter began to speak in this sort. O ye Gods, registered in the books of the Muses, you all know this young man Cupid, whom I have nourished with mine own hands, whose raging flames of his first youth I thought best to bridle and restrain. It sufficeth in that he is defamed in every place for his adulterous living, wherefore all occasion ought to be taken away by mean of marriage: he hath chosen a maiden that fancieth him well, and hath bereaved her of her virginity, let him have her still and possess her according to his own pleasure: then he returned to Venus, and said: And you my daughter, take you no care, neither fear the dishonour of your progeny and estate, neither have regard in that it is a mortal marriage, for it seemeth unto me, just, lawful and legitimate by the law Civil.  
Incontinently after, jupiter commanded Mercury to bring up Psyche's the spouse of Cupid, into the palace of heaven. And then he took a pot of immortality, and said: Hold Psyche's and drink to the end thou mayst be immortal, and that Cupid may be thine everlasting husband.  
By and by the great banquet and marriage feast was sumptuously prepared, Cupid sat down with his dear spouse between his arms: juno likewise which jupiter, and all the other Gods in order, Ganimides' filled the pot of jupiter, and Bacchus served the rest. Their drink was Nectar the wine of the gods, Vulcanus prepared supper, the hours decked up the house with Roses & other sweet smells, the Graces threw about balm, the Muses sang with sweet harmony, Apollo tuned pleasantly to the Harp, Venus danced finely: Satirus and Paniscus played on their pipes: and thus Psyche's was married to Cupid, and after she was delivered of a child, whom we call Pleasure.  
This the trifling old woman declared unto y● captive maiden, but I poor Ass, not standing far of was not a little sorry in that I lacked pen and Ink to write so worthy a tale.   

¶ How Apuleius carried away the Gentlewoman, and how they were taken again by the thieves, and what a kind of death was invented for them.  
Cap. 23.  
BY & by the thieves came home laden with treasure, and many of them which were of strongest courage (leaving behind such as were lame and wounded, to heal & air themselves) said they would return back again to fetch the rest of their pillage, which they had hidden in a certain cave, and so they snatched up their dinner greedily, & brought us forth into the way and beat us before them with staves, about night (after that we had passed over many hills and dales) we came to a great cave, where they jaded us with mighty burdens, and would not suffer us to refresh ourselves any season, but brought us again in our way, and hied so fast homeward, that what with their haste and their cruel stripes, I fell down upon a stone by the high way side, than they beat me pitifully in lifting me up, and hurt my right thigh and my left hoof, and one of them said, what shall we do with this lame evil favoured Ass that is not worth the meat that he eats? An other said: since the time that we had him first, he never did any good, & I think he came unto our house with evil luck, for we have had great wounds since, & loss of our valiant Captains, an other said assoon as he hath brought home his burden, I will surely throw him out upon the mountain to be a pray for wild beasts: While these gentlemen reasoned together of my death, we fortuned to come home, for the fear that I was in, caused my feet to turn into wings: after that we wear discharged of our burdens, they went to their fellows that lay wounded, & told them our great tardity & slowness by the way, neither was I brought into small anguish when as I perceived my death prepared before my face, saying: Why standest thou still Lucius? why dost thou look for thy death? know'st thou not that the thieves have ordained to slay thee? Seest thou not these sharp and pointed flints which shall bruise and tear thee in pieces if by adventure thou happen upon them, thy gentle Magicien hath not only given thee the shape and travel of an Ass, but also a skin so soft and tender as it were a swallow, why dost thou not take courage & run away to save thy life? Art thou afeard of the old woman, which is more than half dead, whom with a stripe of thy heel thou mayst easily dispatch? but whither shall I fly? what lodging shall I seek? behold my assy cogitation? who is he that passeth by the way and will not take me up: while I devised these things I broke the halter wherewith I was tied, and ran away with all my force, he ●●beit I could not escape the kitishe eyes of the old woman, for she ran after me, and with more audacity than becometh her kind and age, caught me by the halter and thought to pull me home: but I not forgetting the cruel purpose of the thieves, was moved with small pity, for I kicked her with my hinder heels to the ground and had wellnigh slain her, who (although she was thrown & hurled down) yet she held still the halter and would not let me go, than she cried with a loud voice & called for succour, but she little prevailed because there was no person that hard her, save only the captive gentlewoman, who hearing the voice of the old woman, came out to see what the matter was, & (perceiving her hanging at the halter) took a good courage and wrested it out of her hands, and (entreating me with gentle words) got upon my back. Then I began to run, and she gently kicked me forward, whereof I was nothing displeased, for I had as great a desire to escape as she: In so much that I seemed to scour away like a horse. And when the gentlewoman did speak, I would answer her with my neyinge, and oftentimes (under colour to rub my back) I would sweetly kiss her tender feet. Then she, f●tchinge a sigh from the bottom of her heart, lifted up her eyes into the heavens, saying: O sovereign Gods deliver me if it be your pleasure, from these present dangers: And thou cruel fortune cease thy wrath, let the sorrow suffice thee which I have already sustained. And thou little Ass that art the occasion of my safety and liberty, if thou canst once render me salve and sound to my parents, and to him that so greatly desireth to have me to his wife, thou shalt see what thanks I will give thee, with what honour I will reward thee, and how I will use thee. First, I will bravely dress the hears of thy sorehead, and then I will finely comb thy mane, I will tie up thy rugged tail trimly, I will deck thee round about with golden traps, in such sort, that thou shalt glitter like the Stars of the sky, I will bring thee daily in my apron the kernels of nuts, and will pamper the up with dainty delicates, I will set store by thee, as by one that is the preserver of my life: Finally, thou shalt lack no manner of thing. Moreover, amongst thy glorious fare, thy great ease, and the bliss of thy life thou shalt not be destitute of dignity, for thou shalt be Chronicled perpetually in memory of my present fortune, and the providence divine. All the whole history shall be painted upon the wall of our house: Thou shalt be renowned throughout all the world: And it shallbe registered in the books of Doctors, that an Ass saved the life of a young maiden that was captive amongst thieves: Thou shalt be numbered amongst the ancient miracles: we believe that by like example of truth, Phryxus saved himself from drowning upon a Ram, Arion escaped upon a Dolphin: And that Europa was delivered by a Bull. If jupiter transformed himself into a Bull, why may it not be that under shape of this Ass, is hidden the figure of a man, or some power Divine? While that the Virgin did thus sorrowfully unfold her desires, we fortuned to come to a place where three ways did meet, and she took me by the halter and would have me turn on the right hand to her father's house, but I (knowing that the thieves wear gone that way to fetch the residue of their pillage) resisted with my head as much as I might, saying within myself, what wilt thou do unhappy maiden? why wouldest thou go so willingly to hell? why wilt thou run into destruction by mean of my feet? why dost thou seek thine own harm & mind likewise? And while we two strived together whether way we might take, the thieves returned laden with their pray, & perceived us a far of by the light of the Moon: And after they had known us, one of them 'gan say, whither go you so hastily? be you not afeard of spirits? And you (you harlot) do you go to see your parents? Come on, we will bear you company? And therewithal they took me by the halter and drove me back again, beating me cruelly with a great staff (that they had) full of knobs: them I (returning again to my ready destruction, and remembering the grief of my h●●fe) be gan to shake my head and to wax lame, but he that led me by the halter said: what dost thou stumble? canst thou not go? these rotten feet of thine can run well mough, but they cannot walk, thou couldst minse it finely even now with the gentlewoman, that thou didst seem to pass the horse Pegasus in swiftness. In saying these words, they beat me again that they broke a great staff upon me, and when we were come almost home, we saw the old woman hanging upon a bow of a Cypress tree: then one of them cut down the bow whereon she hanged, & cast her into the bottom of a great ditch: after this they bound the maiden & fell greedily to their victuales, which the miserable old woman had provided for them. At which time they began to devise with themselves of our death, & how they might be revenged, divers was the opinions of this divers number: the first said that he thought best the maid should be burned alive: the second said she should be thrown out to wild beasts: the third said she should be hanged upon a gibbot: the fourth said she should be flayed alive: thus was the death of the poor maiden scanned between them four. But one of the thieves after every man had declared his judgement did speak in this manner. It is not convenient unto the oath of our company, to suffer you to wax more cruel, than the quality of the offence doth merit, for I would that she should not be hanged, nor burned, nor thrown to beasts, nor die any sudden death, but by my counsel I would have her punished according to her desert. You know well what you have determined already of this dull Ass, that eateth more than he is worth, that feigneth lameness, & that was the cause of the flying away of the maid, my mind is that he shallbe slain to morrow, and when all the guts and entrails of his body is taken out, let the maid be sown into his belly, then let us lay them upon a great stone against the broylinge heat of the son, so they shall both sustain all the punishments which you have ordained: for first the Ass shallbe slain as you have determined, and she, shall have her members torn & gnawn with wild beasts, when as she is bitten & rent with worms, she shall endure the pain of the fire, when as the broiling heat of the son shall skorche and parch the belly of the Ass, she shall abide the gallows when the Dogs and vultures shall have the guts of her body hanging in their ravenous mouths. I pray you number all the torments which she shall suffer: First she shall dwell within the paunch of the Ass: secondly her nostrils shall receive the carrion stink of the beast: thirdly she shall die for hunger, last of all she shall ●●nde no mean to rid herself from her pains for her hands shallbe sowed up within the skin of the Ass: This being said all the thieves consented to the sentence, and when I (poor Ass) hard, & understood all their devise, I did nothing else save bewail and lament my dead carcase, which should be handled in such sort on the next morrow.    

The seventh Book of Lucius Apuleius of the Golden Ass.  

¶ How he that was left behind at Hippata to bring news concerning the robbery of Milos house, came home and declared to his companions that all the fault was laid to one Apuleius charge.  
Cap. 24.  
Assoon as night was passed, and the clear chariot of the sun had spread his bright beams on every coast, came one of the company of the thieves (for so his & their greatinge together did declare) who at his first entry into the cave (after he had breathed himself, & was able to speak) told these tidings unto his companions in this sort. Sirs, as touching the house of Milo of Hippata, which we forcibly entered & ransakt the last day, we may put away all fear, & doubt nothing at all, for after that ye by force & arms had spoiled & taken away all things in the house, and so returned hither unto our cave, 
The use of cut purses now a days.  I (thrusting in amongst the press of the people & showing myself as though I were sad & forowful for the mischance) consulted with them for the boultinge out of the matter, & devised what means might be wrought for the apprehension of the thieves, to the intent I might learn & see all that was done to make relation thereof unto you as you willed me, in so much that the whole fact at length by manifest & evident proofs as also by the common opinion & judgement of all the people, was laid to one Lucius Apuleius charge, 
who was now 〈◊〉 Ass.  as manifest author of this committed robbery, who a few days before by false and forged letters & coloured honesty, 
Surmises of the common people.  fell so far in favour with this Milo that he entertained him into his house, & received him as chief of his familiar friends, which Lucius, after that he had sojourned there a good space, and won the heart of Miloes' maid by feigned love, did thoroughly learn the ways and doors of all the house, & curiously viewed the coffers & chests▪ wherein was laid the whole substance of Milo, neither was there small cause given to judge him culpable, since as the very same night that this robbery was done he fled away, and could be found in no place, & to th'intent he might clean escape, and better prevent such as made hew and cry after him, 
His white horse was likewise taken away by the thieves.  he took his white horse & galloped away, & after this his servant was found in the house, who (accused as accessary to the felony & escape of his master) was committed to the common jail, & the next day following was cruelly scourged & tormented till he was wellnigh dead to the intent he should confess the matter, but when they could wrest or learn no such thing of him, yet sent they many persons after towards Lucius country to inquire him out, & so to take him prisoner.  
As he declared these things, 
The Ass speaketh.  I did greatly lament with myself to think of mine old and pristine estate, and what felicity I was sometimes in, in comparison to the misery that I presently sustained, being changed into a miserable Ass, than had I no small occasion to remember, how the old & ancient writers did seigne & affirm, that fortune was stark blind & without eyes, because she always bestoweth her richesse upon rus●● persons and fools, 
God sends fools fortune.  and chooseth or favoureth no mortal person by judgement but is always conversant especially with such as if she could see, she should most shun & forsake, yea and that which is more worse she soweth such evil or rather contrary opinions in men, that the wicked do glory with the name of good, and contrary the good and innocent be detracted and slandered as evil. Furthermore I, who by her great cruelty was turned into a four footed Ass, is most vile and abject manner, yea and whose estate seemed worthily to be lamented and pitied of the most hard & stony hearts, was accused of theft & robbing of my dear Host Milo, which villainy might rather be called parricide then theft, yet might not I defend mine own cause, or deny the fact any way, by reason I could not speak howbeit lest my conscience should seem to accuse me by reason of silence, and again being enforced by impatience I endeavoured to speak, & feign would have said: Never did I that fact. And verily the first word, Never▪ I cried out once or twice somewhat handsomely, but the residue I could in no wise pronounce, but still remaining in one voice cried Never, Never, Never: Howbeit I settled my hanging lips as round as I could to speak the residue: but why should I further complain of the cruelty of my fortune, since as I was not much ashamed, by reason that my servant & my horse was likewise accused with me of the robbery. While I pondered with myself all these things, a greater care came to my remembrance, touching the death which the thieves devised for me & the maiden, and still as I looked down to my belly, I thought of the poor Gentlewoman that should be closed within me: and the thief which a little before had brought the false news against me, drew out of the skirt of his coat a thousand crowns, which he had rifled away from such as he met, and cast it into the common treasury. Then he carefully inquired how the residue of his companions did. 
As Trasileon Lamathus etc.  To whom it was declared that the most valiant was murdered and slain in divers manners, whereupon he persuaded them to remit all their affairs a certain season, and to seek for other fellows to be in their places, that by the exercise of new lads the terror of their martial band might be reduced to the old number, assuring them that such as were unwilling might be compelled by menaces and threatenings, and such as wear willing might be encouraged forward with reward, further he said, that there were some, which (seeing the profit which they had) would forsake their base and servile estate, and rather be contented to live like tyrants amongst them: moreover he declared, that for his part he had spoken with a certain tale man, a valiant companion, but of young age, stout in body, & courageous in fight, whom he had fully persuaded to exercise his idle hands, dull with slothfulness, to his greater profit, and (while he might) to receive the bliss of better fortune, and not to hold out his sturdy arm to beg for a penny, but rather to take as much gold & silver as he would. Then every one consented, that he that seemed so worthy to be their companion, should be one of their company and that they would search for others to make up the residue of the number, whereupon he went out, and by and by (returning again) brought in a tale young man (as 
This young man was ●ep●lemus the young maidens spouse.  he promised) to whom none of the residue might be compared, for he was higher than they by the head, and of more bigness in body, his beard began to burgeon, but he was poorly apparelled, in so much that you might see all his belly naked: As soon as he was entered in, he said, God speed ye soldiers of Mars, and my faithful companions, I pray you make me one of your band, 
A pre●y deceiple of Lepolemus.  and I will ensure you that you shall have a man of singular courage and lively audacity, for I had rather receive stripes upon my back, than money or gold in my hands: and as for death (which every man do fear) I pass nothing at all, yet think you not that I am an abject or a beggar, neither judge you my virtue and prowess by my ragged clothes, for I have been a captain of a great company, and subdued all the country of Macedon: I am the renowned thief Hemus the Thracien, whose name all countries and nations do so greatly fear: I am the soon of thereon the notable thief, nourished with humane blood, entertained amongst the stoutest: finally I am inheritor and follower of my Fathers, virtues, yet I lost in a short time all my company, and all my richesses by one assault, which I made upon a factor of the Prince, which sometime had been captain of two hundred men, for fortune was clean against me: hearken and I will tell you the whole matter. 
A forged lie.  There was a certain man in the court of the Emperor which had many offices, and in great favour, who at last by the envy of divers persons was banished away and compelled to forsake the court: his wife Platina, a woman of rare faith and singular shamefastness, having borne ten children to her husband, despised all worldly pomp and delicacy, & determined to follow her husband, and to be a partaker of all his perils and danger, wherefore the cut of her hear, disguised herself like a man, & took with her all her treasure, passing through the hands of the soldiers and the naked sword without any fear, whereby she endured many miseries, and was partaker of much affliction to save the life of her husband, such was her love which she bore unto him. And when they had escaped many perilous dangers aswell by land as by sea they went to wards Zacynthe to continue there according as fortune had appointed: But when they arrived on the sea cost of Actium (where we in our return from Macedon were rovinge about) when night came they turned into a house, not far distant from their ship where they lay all night. Then we entered in & took away all their substance, but verily we were in great danger, for the good Matron perceiving us incontinently by the notes of the gate, went into the chamber, and called up every man by his name, and likewise the neighbours that dwelled round about, in so much that by reason of the fear thar every one was in, we hardly escaped away, but this most holy woman, faithful and true to her husband (as the truth must be declared) returned to Caesar desiring his aid and puissance, and demanding vengeance of the injury done to her husband, who granted all her desire: then went my company to wrack in so much that every man was slain, so great was the authority and word of the Prince. How be it when all my band was lost and taken by search of the emperors army, I only stole away and delivered myself from the violence of the soldiers, for I clothed myself in a woman's attire, and mounted upon an Ass that carried barley shéefes, and (passing through the middle of them all) I escaped away, because every one deemed that I was a woman, by reason I lacked a beard. How be it I left not of for all this, nor did degenerate from the glory of my father, or mine own virtue, but freshly coming from the bloody skirmish, and disguised like a woman I invaded Towns and Castles alone to get some prey. And therewithal he pulled out two thousand crowns which he had under his coat, saying: Hold here the dowry which I present unto you, hold eke my person which you shall always find trusty and faithful if you will willingly receive me: And I will ensure you that in so doing, within short space I will make and turn this stony house of yours into Gold: then by and by every one consented to make him their captain, and so they gave him better garments and threw away his old. When he had changed his attire he embraced them one after an other, than placed they him in the highest room of the table, and drank unto him in token of good luck.   

¶ How the death of the Ass, and the gentle woman was staid,  
Cap. 25.  
AFter supper they began to talk, 
Apuleius speaketh.  and declared unto him the going away of the gentlewoman, and how I bore her upon my back, & what death was ordained for us two. Then he desired to see her▪ whereupon the Gentlewoman was brought forth fast bound, whom assoon as he beheld, he turned himself wringing his nose & blamed them, saying: I am not so much a beast or so rash a fellow, 
A pretty wile to save his wife.  that I would drive you quite from your purpose, but my conscience will not suffer me to conceal any thing that toucheth your profit, since as I am careful for you, how be it if my counsel do displease you, you may at your own liberty proceed in your enterprise. I doubt not but all thieves, and such as have a good judgement, will prefer their own lucre & gain above all things in the world, & above their vengeance, which purchaseth damage to divers persons. Therefore if you put this Virgin in the Ass' belly, you shall but execute your indignation against her without all manner of profit: but I would advise you to carry the Virgin to some town & to sell her. And such a brave girl as she is, may be sold for a great quantity of money: And I myself know certain bawd Merchants, amongst whom, peradventure some one will give-us great sums of gold for her. This is my opinion touching this affair: But advise you what you intend to do, for you may rule me in this case. In this manner the good thief pleaded and defended our cause, being a good patron to the seely Virgin, and to me poor Ass. But they staid hereupon a good space with long deliberation, which made my heart (God wot) and spirit greatly to quale. Howbeit, in the end they consented to his opinion, and by and by, the maiden was unlosed of her bonds, who seeing the young man, and hearing the name of brothels and bawd Merchants, began to wax joyful, and smiled with herself. Then began I to deem evil of the generation of women, when as I saw the maiden (who was appointed to be married to a young gentleman, and who so greatly desired the same) was now delighted with the talk of a wicked and filthy brothel house, and other things dishonest. In this sort the consent and manners of women depended in the judgement of an Ass.   

¶ How all the thieves wear brought in a sleep by their new companion.  
Cap. 26.  
THen the young man spoke again, saying: Masters, why go we not about to make our prayers to Mars touching this selling of the maiden, 
●●ere Lepolem●● draweth to his purpose.  and to sake for other compaignions'. But as far as I see here is no manner of beast to make sacrifice withal, nor wine sufficient for us to drink. Let me have (ꝙ he) ten more with me, and we will go to the next castle, to provide for meat and other things necessary. So he and ten more with him, went their way: In the mean season the residue made a great fire, and an altar with green tirfes, in the honour of Mars. By and by after they came again, bringing with them bottles of wine, and a great number of beasts, amongst which there was a big Ram goat, fat, old, and hairy, which they killed and offered unto Mars. Then supper was prepared sumptuously: And the new companion said unto the other. You ought to account me not only your Captain in robbery and fight, but also in your pleasures and jollity, whereupon by and by with pleasant there he prepared meat, & trimming up the house, he set all things in order, & brought the pottage & dentie dishes to the table: But above all he plied them well with great pots, & jugs of wine. Sometimes (seeming to fetch somewhat) he would go to the maiden and give her pieces of meat, which he privily took away, and would drink unto her, which she willingly took in good part. Moreover he kissed her twice or thrice, whereof she was well pleased, but I (not well contented thereat) thought in myself: O wretched maid, 
Apuleius speaketh.  thou hast forgotten thy marriage, & dost esteem this stranger and bloody thief above thy husband, which thy parents ordained for thee, now perceive I well thou hast no remorse of conscience, but more delight to tarry & play the harlot here amongst so many weapons and swords, what knowest thou not how the other thieves if they knew thy demeanour would put thee to death as they had once appointed, & so work my destruction likewise? well now I perceive thou haste a pleasure in the damage and hurt of other. While I did angrily devise with myself all these things, I perceived by certain signs and tokens (not ignorant to so wise an Ass) that he was not the notable thief Hemus, but rather Lepolemus her husband, 
The judgement of an Ass.  for after much communication he began to speak more frankly, not fearing at all my presence, and said: be of good cheer my sweet friend Charites, for thou shalt have by and by all these thy enemies captive unto thee. Then he filled wine to the thieves more, and more, and never ceased till as they wear all overcome with abundance of meat and drink, when as he himself abstained and bridled his own appetite: and truly, I did greatly suspect, lest he had mingled in their cups some deadly poison, for incontinently they all fell down a sleep on the ground one after an other, and lay as though they had been dead.   

¶ How the Gentlewoman was carried home by her husband while the thieves were asleep, and how much Apuleius was made of.  
Cap. 27.  
WHen the thieves were all a sleep by their great and immoderate drinking, the young man Lepolemus took the maiden & set her upon my back and went homeward, when we were come home, all the people of the City (especially her parents, friends & family) came running forth joyfully, & all the children & maidens of the town, gathered together to see this virgin in great triumph sitting upon an Ass. Then I (willing to show as much joy as I might as present 
A pretty jest of an Ass.  occasion served) I set and pricked up my long ears, I rattled my nostrils, and cried stoutly, nay rather I made the town to ring again which my shrilling sound▪ when we were come to her father's house, she was received into a chamber honourably: as for me, Lepolemus (accompaigned with a great number of Citizens) did drive me back again with other horses to y● cave of the thieves, where we found them all a sleep lying on the ground as we left them, than they first brought out all the gold, silver, and other treasure of the house, and jaded us withal, which when they had done, they threw many of the thieves down into the bottom of deep ditches, and the residue they slew with their swords: after this we returned home glad & merry of so great vengeance upon them, and the richesse which we carried was committed to the public Treasury: This done, the maid was married to Lepolemus, according to the law, whom by so much travel he had valiantly recovered: Then my good mistress looked about for me, & asking for me commanded the very same day of her marriage, that my manger should be filled with barley, and that I should have hay & Oats abundantly, & she would call me her little Camel. But how greatly did I curse Fotis in that she transformed me into an Ass, and not into a Dog, because I saw the dogs had filled their paunches with the relics and bones of so worthy a supper, the next day this new wedded woman (my mistress) did greatly commend me before her parents and husband, for the kindness which I had showed unto her, and never lived of until such time as they promised to reward me with great honours, than they called together all their friends, & thus it was so concluded, one said that I should be closed in a stable and never work but continually to be fed and fatted with fine and chosen barley and beans, & good litter, how be it an other prevailed, who wishing my liberty persuaded them that it was better for me to run in the fields amongst the lascivious horses and mares, whereby I might engender some mules for my mistress, 
This pleased the Ass.  than he that kept the horse was called for, and I was delivered unto him with great care, in so much that I was right pleasant and joyous, because I hoped that I should carry no more farthels or burdens, moreover I thought that when I should thus be at liberty, in the springe time of the year when the meadows and fields were green, I should find some Roses in some place, whereby I was fully persuaded that if my master and mistress did render to me so many thanks and honours being an Ass, they would much more reward me being turned into a man: but when he (to whom the charge of me was so straightly committed) had brought me a good way distant from the City, I perceived no delicate meats nor no liberty which I should have, 
Unhappy is he that hath an ill mistress.  but by and by his covetous wife and most cursed quean made me a mill Ass, and (beating me with a kidgell full of knots) would wring bred for herself and her household out of my skin, yet was she not contented to weary me and make me a drudge with carriage and grinding of her own corn, but I was hired of her neighbours to bear their sacks likewise, how be if she would not give me such meat as I should have, nor sufficient to sustain my life withal, for the barley which I ground for mine own dinner she would fell to the inhabitants by. And after that I had laboured all day, she would set before me at night a little filthy bran, 
Such scraping dames be many now a days.  nothing clean but full of stones. Being in this calamity yet fortune worked me other torments, for on a day I was let lose into the f●●ldes to pasture by the commandment of my master, O how I leapt for joy, how I neyed to see myself in such liberty, b●t especially since I beheld so many mares, which I thought should be my wives and concubines, and I espied out and choose the fairest before I came nigh them, but this my joyful hope turned into utter destruction, 
Pleasure oftentimes turneth to pain.  for incontinently all the stone Horses which were well fed and made strong by ease of pasture, and thereby much more puissant than a poor Ass, were jealous over me, and (having no regard to the law and order of the God jupiter) ran fiercely and terribly against me, one lifted up his fore feet and kicked me spitefully, an other turned himself and with his hinder heels spurned me cruelly, the third threatening with a malicious neyinge dressed his ears and showing his sharp and white teeth bit me on every side. In like sort have I red in Histories how the King of Thrace, 
The Ass hath red Histories.  would throw his miserable geste to be torn in pieces and devoured of his wild horses, so niggishe was that Tyrant of his provender that he nourished them with the bodies of men.   

¶ How Apuleius was made a common Ass to fetch home wood, and how he was handled by a boy.  
Cap. 28.  
AFter that I was thus handled by the Horses, I was brought home again to the mill, but behold, fortune (insatiable of my torments) had devised a new pain for me, I was appointed to bring home wood every day from a high hill, and who should drive me thither and home again, but a boy that was the veriest hangman in all the world, who was not contented with the great travel that I took in climinge up the hill, neither pleased when he saw my hooves torn and worn away by sharp flints, but he beat me cruelly with a great staff, 
One sorrow that the b●ye wrought to Apuleius.  in so much that the mary of my bones did ache for woe, for he would strike me continually on my right hip and still in one place, whereby he tore my skin and made of my wide sore a great hole or trench, or rather a window to look out at, and although it ran down of blood, yet would he not cease beating me in that place, moreover he jaded me with such great trusses and burdens of wood that you would think they had been rather prepared for elephants then for me, and when he perceived that my wood hanged more of one side then an other (when he should rather take away the heavy shides, and so ease me or else lift them up to make them equal with the other) he laid great stones upon the weaker side to remedy the matter, yet could he not be contented with this my great misery and immoderate burdens of wood, but when we came to any river (as their wear many by the way) he to save his feet from water would leap upon my loins likewise, which was no small load upon load. And if by adventure I had fell down in any dirty or miry place, when he should have pulled me out, either with ropes, or lifted me up by the tail, he would never help me, but laid me on from top to toe with a mighty staff, till he had left no hear on all my body, no not so much as on mine ears, whereby I was compelled by force of the blows to stand up.  
The same hangman boy did invent an other torment for me, he gathered a great many sharp thorns as sharp as néedels', and bound them together like a faggot and tied them at my tail to prick me, than was I afflicted on every side, for if I had endeavoured to run away the thorns would have pricked me, if I had stood still the boy would have beaten me, and yet the boy beat me to make me run, whereby I perceived that the hangman did devise nothing else save to kill me by some manner of means, and he would swear and threaten to do me worse harm, and because he might have some occasion to execute his malicious mind, upon a day (after that I had endeavoured to much by my patience) I lift up my heels and spurned him well-favouredly. Then he invented this vengeance against me, after that he had well jaded me with shrubs and rubbel and trussed it round upon my back, he brought me out into the way: then he stolen a burning coal out of a man's house of the next village and put it into the middle of the rubbel, the rubbel and shrubs being very dry, did fall on a light fire and burned me on every side. I could see no remedy how I might save myself, and in such a case it was not best for me to stand still: but fortune was favourable towards me, perhaps to reserve me for more dangers, for I espied a great hole full of rain water that fell the day before, thither I ran hastily and plunged myself therein, in such sort that I quenched the fire and was delivered from that present peril, but the vile boy to excuse himself declared to all the neighbours and sheapeherdes about that I willingly tumbled in the flere as I passed through the villages. Then he laughed upon me saying: How long shall we nourish and keep this fiery Ass in vain.   

¶ How Apuleius was accused of lechery by the Boy.  
Cap. 29.  
A Few days after, this Boy invented an other mischief: For when he had sold all the would, which I bore, to certain men dwelling in a village by, he led me homeward unladen: And then he cried that he was not able to rule me, & that he would not drive me any longer to the hill for wood, saying: do you see this slow and dull Ass, who besides all the mischiefs that he hath wrought already, inventeth daily more & more. For when he espieth any woman passing by the way, whether she be old or married, or if it be a young child, he will throw his burden from his back and runneth fiercely upon them. And after that he hath thrown them down, he will stride over them to commit his buggery and beastly pleasure, moreover he will feign as though he would kiss them, but he will bite their faces cruelly, which thing may work us great displeasure, or rather be imputed unto us as a crime: and even now when he espied an honest maiden passing by the high way, he by and by threw down his wood & ran after her: And when he had thrown her upon the ground, he would have ravished her before the face of all the world, had it not been that by reason of her crying out, she was succoured and pulled from his heels and so delivered. And if it had so come to pass that this fearful maiden had been slain by him, what danger had we been in? By these and like lies, he provoked the shéepeherdes earnestly against me, which grieved me (God wot) full sore that said nothing. Then one of the shepherds said: Why do we not make sacrifice of this common adulterous Ass. My son (ꝙ he) let us kill him and throw his guts to the dogs, 
Here they devise to kill the Ass.  & reserve his flesh for the labourer's supper. Then let us cast dust upon his skin, & carry it home to our master, and say that the Wolves hath devoured him. The boy that was my evil accuser, made no delay but prepared himself to execute the sentence of the shepherd, rejoicing at my present danger, but O how greatly did I then repent that the stripe which I gave him with my heel had not killed him. Then he drew out his sword and made it sharp upon a whetstone to slay me, but an other of the shepherds 'gan say, verily it is a great offence to kill so fair an Ass. 
A friendly enemy to the Ass.  And so (by accusation of luxury and lascivious wantonness) to lack so necessary his labour and service, where otherwise if you would cut of his stones, he might not only be deprived of his courage, but also become gentle, that we should be delivered from all fear of danger. Moreover, he would be thereby more fat and better in flesh. For I know myself as well many Asses, as also most fierce horses, that by reason of their wantonness, have been most mad and terrible, but (when they wear gelded and cut) they have become very gentle and tame, and tractable to all use. Wherefore I would counsel you to geld him. And if you consent thereto, I will by and by, when I go to the next market fetch mine irons and tools for the purpose: And I ensure you after that I have gelded and cut of his stones, I will deliver him unto you as tame as a lamb. When I did perceive that I was delivered from death, 
Apuleius speaketh.  and reserved to be gelded, I was greatly sorry, in so much that I thought all the hinder part of my body and my stones did ache for woe, but I sought about to kill myself by some manner of means, to th'end if I should die, I would die with unperished members.   

¶ How the boy that led Apuleius to the fields, was slain in the wood.  
Cap. 30.  
WHile I devised with myself in what manner I might end my life, the roperipe boy on the next morrow led me to the hill again, & tied me to a boowe of a great Oak, and in the mean season he took his hatchet and cut wood to load me withal, but behold there crept out of a cave by, a marvelous great Bear, holding out his mighty head, whom when I saw, I was suddenly strooken in fear & (throwing all the strength of my body into my hinder heels) lifted up my strained head and broke the halter, wherewith I was tied. Then there was no need to bid me run away, for I scoured not only on foot, but tumbled over the stones and rocks with my body, till I came into the open fields, to the intent I would escape away from the terrible Bear, but especially from the boy that was worse than the Bear. Then a certain stranger that passed by the way (espying me alone as a stray Ass) took me up & road upon my back, beating me with a staff (which he bore in h● hand) through a blind & an unknown lane, whereat I was nothing displeased, but willingly went forward to avoid the cruel pain of gelding, which y● shepherds had ordained for me, but as for y● stripes I was nothing moved, since I was accustomed to be beaten so every day: But evil fortune would not suffer me to continue in such estate long: For the shepherds (looking about for a cow that they had lost, 
He falleth into Scylla that will avoid Charybdis.  after they had sought in divers places) fortuned to come upon us unwares, who when they espied and knew me, they would have taken me by the halter, but he that road upon my back resisted them saying. Good lord masters, what intend you to do? will you rob me? Then said the shéepeherdes, what thinkest thou that we handle thee otherwise then thou deservest, which hast stolen away our Ass, why dost thou not rather tell us where thou hast hidden the boy whom thou hast slain? And therewithal they pulled him down to the ground, beating him with their fists, and spurning him with their fear. Then he swore unto them saying: that he saw no manner of boy, but only found the Ass lose and straiing abroad, which he took up to th'intent he might have some reward for the finding of him, and to restore him again to his master. And I would to god (ꝙ he) that this Ass (which verily was never seen) could speak as a man, to give witness of mine innocency: Then would you be ashamed of the injury which you have done to me. Thus (reasoning for himself) he nothing prevailed, for they tied the halter about my neck, and (maugre his face) pulled me quite away, & led me back again through the woods of the hill to the place where the boy accustomed to resort. And after that they could find him in no place, at length they found his body rend and torn in pieces, and his members dispersed in sundry places, which I well knew was done by the cruel Bear, and verily I would have told it if I might have spoken, but (which I could only do) I greatly rejoiced at his death, although it came to late. Then they gathered together the pieces of his body and buried them. By and by they laid all the fault to him that was my new master, that took me up by the way, and (bringing him home fast bound to their houses) purposed on the next morrow to accuse him of murder, and to lead him before the justices to have judgement of death.   

¶ How Apuleius was cruelly beaten by the mother of the boy that was slain.  
Cap 31.  
IN the mean season while the parents of the boy did lament and weep, for the death of their son. The shéepeherd (according to his promise) came with his instruments and tools to geld me, than one of them said: Tush we little esteem the mischief which he did yesterday, but now we are contented that to morrow his stones shall not only be cut of, 
Apuleius gelding was delayed.  but also his head. So was it brought to pass that my death was delayed till the next morrow: but what thanks did I give to that good boy, who (being so slain) was the cause of my pardon for one short day: Howbeit I had no time then to rest myself, for the mother of the boy weeping and lamenting for his death, attired in mourning vesture, tore her hear, and beat her breast, and came presently into the stable, saying: Is it reason that this careless beast should do nothing all day but hold his head in the manger, filling and bolling his guts with meat without compassion of my great misery, or remembrance of the pitiful death of his slain master: and contemning my age and infirmity, thinketh that I am unable to revenge his mischiefs: moreover he would persuade me that he were not culpable, in deed it is a convenient thing to look and plead for safety, when as the conscience doth confess the offence, as thieves and malefactors accustom to do: but O good Lord the cursed beast if thou couldst utter the contents of thine own mind whom 
A foolish woman to lay the fault to a bruit beast.  (though he were the veriest fool in all the world) mightest thou persuade that this murder was void or without thy fault, when as it lay in thy power either to keep of the thieves with thy heels or else to bite and tear them with thy teeth. Couldst not thou (that so often in his life time didst spurn & kick him) defend him now at the point of death by like mean? yet at least thou shouldest have taken him upon thy back, and so brought him from the cruel hands of thieves, where contrary thou runnest away alone forsaking thy good master, thy pastor, and conductor. Knowest y● not that such as deny their wholesome help and aid to them which lie in danger of death, aught to be punished because they have offended against good manners and the law natural, but I promise thee thou shalt not long rejoice at my harms: thou shalt feel the smart of thy homicide and offence, I will see what I can do, and there withal she unlosed her apron, and bound all my feet together, to the end I might not help myself, than she took a great bar which accustomed to bar the stable door, and never ceased beating of me till she was so weary that the bar fell out of her hands, whereupon she (complaining of the soon faintness of her arms) ran to her fire and brought a fire brand and thrust it under my tail, burning me continually till such time as (having but one remedy) I all arrayed her face and eyes with my dirty dung, whereby (what with the stink thereof, and what with the filthiness that fell in her eyes) she was wellnigh blind, so I enforced the quean to leave of, otherwise I had died as Meleager did by the stick, which his mad mother Althaea cast into the fire.    

The eight Book of Lucius Apuleius of the Golden Ass.  

¶ How a young man came and declared the miserable death of Lepolemus, and his wife Charites.  
Cap. 32.  
About midnight came a young man which seemed to be one of the family 
The Ass speaketh.  of the good woman Charites, who sometimes endured so much misery and calamity with me amongst the thieves, who after that he had taken a stool and sat down by the fire side in the company of the servants, began to declare many terrible things that had happened unto the house of Charites, saying: O ye horsekeepers, shepherds, and cowheardes, you shall understand that we have lost our good mistress Charites, miserably and by evil adventure, and to the end you may learn and know all the whole matter, I purpose to tell you the circumstance of every point, whereby such as are more learned than I (to whom fortune hath ministered more copious style) may paint it out in paper in form of an History: there was a young gentleman dwelling in the next City, borne of good parentage, valiant in prowess, and rich in substance, but very much given and addict to whore hunting and continual reveling. Whereby he fell in company with thieves, 
These vices are lightly linked together.  and had his hand ready to the effusion of humane blood, his name was Thrasillus.  
The matter was this according to the report of every man: He demanded Charites in marriage, who although he were a man more comely than the residue that wooed her, 
Good fame is better than riches.  and also had richesses abundantly, yet because he was of evil fame, and a man of wicked manners and conversation, he had the repulse and was put of by Charites, and so she married with Lepolemus: howbeit this young man secretly loved her, yet moved somewhat at her refusal, he busily searched some means to work his damnable intent: And (having found occasion and opportunity to accomplish his purpose, which he had long time concealed) brought to pass, that the same day that Charites was delivered by the subtle mean and valiant audacity of her husband, from the puissance of the thieves, he mingled himself amongst the assembly, feigninge that he was glad of the new marriage and coming home again of the maiden, whereby (by reason that he came of so noble parents) he was received & entertained into the house, as one of their chief and principal friends: 
Here the Lambs made much of the Wolf.  Howbeit under cloak of a faithful well-willer, he dissimuled his mischievous mind and intent, in continuance of time, by much familiarity, and often conversation and banketinge together, he fell more and more in favour, like as we see it fortuneth to lovers, who first do little delight themselves in love, till as by continual acquaintance they kiss and embrace each other. Thrasillus perceiving that it was a hard matter to break his mind secretly to Charites, whereby he was wholly barred from the accomplishment of his luxurious appetite, & on the other side perceiving that the love of her and her husband was so strongly linked together, the the bond between them might in no wise be dissevered, moreover it was a thing impossible to ravish her, although he had consented thereto, yet was he still provoked forward by vehement lust when as he saw himself unable to bring his purpose to pass. Howbeit at length the thing which seemed so hard and difficil, through hope of his fortified love, did now appear easy & facile: but mark I pray you diligently to what end the furious force of his inordinate desire came. On a day Lepolemus went to the chase with Thrasillus to hunt for Goats, for his wife Charites desired him earnestly to meddle with no other beasts, which were of more fierce and wild nature, when they were come within the chase to a great thicket fortressed about with briars and thorns, they compassed round with their dogs, and beset every place with nets, by and by warning was given to let lose: The dogs rushed in with such a cry that all the forest range again with the 'noys, but behold there leapt out no Goat, nor dear, nor gentle Hind, but an horrible and dangerous wild Boar, hard & thick skinned, bristeled terribly like thorns, foaming at the mouth, grinding his teeth and looking dyrefully with fitie eyes. The dogs that first set upon him he tore and rend with his tusks, and then he ran quite through the nets and escaped away: when we saw the fury of this beast, we were greatly stricken with fear, and because we never accustomed to chase such dreadful Boars, and further because we were unarmed and without weapons, we got and hid ourselves under bushes and trees: then Thrasillus having found opportunity to work his treason, said to Lepolemus, what stand we here amazed? why show we ourselves like dastards? why lose we so worthy a prey with our feminive hearts? let us mount upon our horses and pursue him incontinently: Take you a hunting staff, & I will take a chasing spear, by and by they leapt upon their horses and followed the beast. But he returning against them with furious force, pried with his eyes, on whom he might first assail with his tusks: Lepolemus struck the beast first on the back with his hunting staff. 
O wicked deed.  Thrasillus faininge to aid and assist him, came behind, and cut of the hinder legs of Lepulemus horse, in such sort that he fell down to the ground with his master: And suddenly the Boar came upon Lepolemus, and furiously tore and rend him with his teeth. Howbeit, Thrasillus was not sufficed to see him thus wounded, 
O more mischievous fact.  but when he desired his friendly help, he thrust Lepolemus through the right thigh with his spear, the more because he thought the wound of the spear would be taken for a wound of the Boars teeth: Then he killed the beast likewise. And when he was thus miserably slain, every one of us came out of our holes, and went towards our slain master. But although that Thrasillus was joyful of the death of Lepolemus, 
Worse than judas.  whom he did greatly hate, yet he cloaked the matter with a sorrowful countenance, he feigned a dolorous face, he often embraced the body which he himself slew, he played all the parts of a mourning person, saving there fell no tears from his eyes. Thus he resembled us in each point, who verily, and not without occasion, had cause to lament for our master, laying all the blame of this homicide unto the Boar. Incontinently after, the sorrowful news of the death of Lepolemus, came to the ears of all the family, but especially to Charites, who after she had hard such pitiful tidings, as a mad and raging woman, ran up and down the streets, crying and howling lamentably. All the citizens gathered together, and such as they met, bore them company running towards the chase. When they came to the slain body of Lepolemus, Charites threw herself upon him, weeping and lamenting grievously for his death, in such sort, that she would have presently ended her life, upon the corpse of her slain husband, whom she so entirely loved, had it not been that her parents and friends did comfort her, and pulled her away. The body was taken up, and in funeral pomp brought to the city, and buried. In the mean season, Thrasillus feigned much sorrow for the death of Lepolemus, but in his heart he was well pleased & joyful. And to counterfect the matter, he would come to Charites & say: O what a loss have I had by y● death of my friend, my fellow, my companion Lepolemus: O Charites, comfort yourself, pacify your dolour, refrain your weeping, beat not your breasts: And with such other & like words, & divers examples he endeavoured to suppress her great sorrow, but he spoke not this for any other intent but to win the heart of the woman, and to nourish his odious love with filthy delight. 
The part of a good woman.  Howbeit, Charites after the burial of her husband, sought y● means to follow him, and (not sustaining the sorrows wherein she was wrapped) got her secretly into a chamber & purposed to finish her life there with dolour & tribulation: But Thrasillus was very importunate, & at length brought to pass that at the intercession of the parents & friends of Charites, she somewhat refreshed her fallen members with refection of meat and bain. Howbeit, she did it more at the commandment of her parents, then for any thing else: For she could in no wise be merry, nor receive any comfort, but tormented herself day and night before the image of her husband, which she had made like unto Bacchus, & rendered unto him divine honours and services. In the mean season Thrasillus not able to refrain any longer, before Charites had assuaged her dolours, before her troubled mind had pacified her fury, even in the middle of all her griefs, while she wéeped for her husband, while she tore her garments and rend her hear, demanded her in marriage, and so without shame he detected the secrets & unspeakable deceits of his heart. But Charites detested and abhorred his demand & as she had been strooken with some clap of thunder, with some storm, or with the lightning of jupiter, she presently fell down to the ground all amazed. Howbeit in the end when her spirits were revived & that she returned to herself, perceiving that Thrasillus was so importunate, she demanded respite to deliberate and to take advise on the matter, in the mean season the shape of Lepolemus that was slain so miserably appeared to Charites with a pale and bloody face, saying: O my sweet wife (which no other person can say but I) I pray thee for the love which is between us two, 
Murder is always revealed.  if there be any memory of me in thy heart, or remembrance of my pitiful death, marry with any other person, so that y● marry not with the traitor Thrasillus, have no conference with him, eat not with him, lie not with him, avoid the bloody hand of mine enemy, couple not thyself with a parricide, for those wounds (the blood whereof thy tears did wash away) were not the wounds of the teeth of the Boar, but the spear of Thrasillus deprived me from thee. Thus spoke Lepolemus unto his loving wife, and declared the residue of the damnable fact: then Charites awaking from sleep began to renew her dolour, to tear her garments, and to beat her arms with her comely hands, howbeit she revealed the vision which she saw to no manner of person, but dissimulinge that she knew no part of the mischief, devised with herself how she might be revenged on the traitor, and finish her own life to end and knit up all sorrow: Incontinently came Thrasillus the detestable demander of sudden pleasure, and wearied the closed ears of Charites with talk of marriage, but she gently refusing his communication, and colouring the matter, with a passing craft in the midst of his earnest desires, 'gan say: Thrasillus, you shall understand that yet the face of your brother and my husband, is always before mine eyes, I smell yet the cinnamon sent of his precious body, I yet feel Lepolemus alive in my heart, wherefore you shall do well if you grant to me, miserable woman, necessary time to bewail his death, that after the residue of a few months, the whole year may be expired, which thing toucheth aswell my shame as your wholesome profit, lest peradventure by our speedy and quick marriage we should justly raise & provoke the spirit of my husband to work our destruction. Howbeit Thrasillus was not contented with this promise, 
The hot furies of devilish. appetites.  but more and more was earnest upon her: In so much that she was enforced to speak to him in this manner: My friend Thrasillus, if thou be so contented until the whole year be complete and finished, behold here is my body, take thy pleasure, but in such sort and so secret, that no servant of the house may perceive it. Then Thrasillus trusting the false promises of the woman, & preferring his inordinate pleasure above all things in the world, was joyful in his heart & looked for night, when as he might have his purpose. But come y● about midnight (ꝙ Charites) disguised without company. And do but hiss at my chamber door, & my noucce shall attend and let thee in: this counsel pleased Thrasillus marvelously, who (suspecting no harm) did always look for night, and the hour assigned by Charites: the time was scarce come, when as (according to her commandment) he disguised himself, & went straight to the chamber, where he found the nurse attending for him, who (by the appointment of her mistress) fed him with slatteringe talk, and gave him mingled & doled drink in a cup, excusing the absence of her mistress Charites by reason that she attended on her father being sick, until such time, that with sweet talk and operation of the wine, he fell in a sound sleep: now when he lay prostrate on the ground ready to all adventure, Charites (being called for) came in, and with manly courage and bold force, stood over this sleeping murderer, saying: Behold the faithful companion of my husband, behold this valiant hunter: 
The Gods suffereth no vice unpunished.  behold my dear spouse, this is the hand which shed my blood, this is the heart which hath devised so many subtle means to work my destruction, these be the eyes whom I have ill pleased, behold now they forshowe their own destiny, sleep careless, dream that thou art in the hands of the merciful, for I will not hurt thee with thy sword or with any other weapon, God forbid that I should slay thee as thou slewest my husband, but thy eyes shall fail thee, and thou shalt see no more, then that whereof thou dreamest: thou shalt think the death of thine enemy more sweet than thy life: thou shalt see no light, thou shalt lack the aid of a leader, thou shalt not have me as thou hopest, thou shalt have no delight of my marriage, thou shalt not die, and yet living thou shalt have no joy, but wander between light and darkness as an unsure image: thou shalt seek for the hand that pricked out thy eyes, yet shalt thou not know of whom thou shouldest complain: I will make sacrifice with the blood of thine eyes upon the grave of my husband, but what gainest thou through my delay? Perhaps thou dreamest that thou embracest me in thine arms, leave of the darkness of sleep, and awake thou to receive a penal deprivation of thy sight, lift up thy face, regard thy vengeance and evil fortune, reckon thy misery so pleaseth thine eyes to a chaste woman, that thou shalt have blindness to thy companion, and an everlasting remorse of thy miserable conscience. When she had spoken these words, she took a great needle from her head and pricked out both his eyes: which done, she by and by caught the naked sword which her husband Lepolemus accustomed to were, and ran through out all the City like a mad woman, toward the Sepulchre of her husband: Then all we of the house withal the Citizens, ran incontinently after her, to take the sword out of her hands, but she clasping about the tomb of Lepolemus, kept us of with her naked weapon, and when she perceived that every one of us wept and lamented, she spoke in this sort: I pray you my friends weep not, nor lament for me, for I have revenged the death of my husband, I have punished deservedly the wicked breaker of our marriage, now is it time to seek out my sweet Lepolemus, and presently with this sword to finish my life. And therewithal after she had made relation of the whole matter, declared the vision which she saw, and told by what mean she deceived Thrasillus, thrusting the sword under her right breast & wallowing in her own blood, at length with manly courage yielded up the ghost. 
O deed worthy of remembrance.  Then immediately the friends of miserable Charites, did bury her body within the same sepulchre. Thrasillus hearing all the matter, & knowing not by what means he might end his life, for he thought his sword was not sufficient to revenge so great a crime, at length went to the same sepulchre and cried with a loud voice, saying: O ye dead spirits whom I have so highly offended receive me, behold I make sacrifice unto you with my body: which said, he closed y● sepulchre, purposing to famish himself, and to finish his life there in sorrow. These things the young man with pitiful sighs and tears declared unto the cowheardes & shéepeherdes, which caused them all to weep: but they fearing to become subject unto new masters, prepared themselves to depart away.   

¶ How Apuleius was led away by the horsekeeper, and what dangers he was in.  
Cap. 33.  
BY and by the horsekeeper, 
The Ass speaketh.  to whom the charge of me was committed, brought forth all his substance and jaded me and other horses withal, & so departed thence: we bore women, children, pullets, sparrows, kids, whelps, & other things which were not able to keep pace with us, and that which I bore upon my back, although it was a mighty burden, yet seemed it very light, because I was driven away from him that most terribly had appointed to kill me, when we head passed over a great mountain full of trees, and were come again into the open fields, behold we approached nigh to a fair and rich Castle, where it was told unto us that we wear not able to pass in our journey that night, by reason of the great number of terrible Wolves, which wear in the country about, so fierce and cruel, that they put every man in fear, in such sort that they would invade and set upon such which passed by like thieves, and devour both them and their beasts.  
Moreover, we wear advertised that there lay in the way where we should pass, many dead bodies, eaten and torn with Wolves. Wherefore we wear willed to state there all night, & on the next morning, to go close and round together, whereby we might pass and escape all perils and dangers. But (notwithstanding this good counsel) our caitive drivers wear so covetous to go forward, and so fearful of pursuit, that they never stayed till the morning: But being well nigh midnight, they made us trudge in our way a pace: Then I fearing the great danger which might happen, ran amongst the middle of the other horses, to th'end I might defend and save my poor buttocks from the Wolves, whereat every man much marveled to see, that I scoured away swifter than the other horses: But such was my agilitée not to get me any praise, but rather for fear. At that time I remembered with myself, that the valiant horse Pegasus, did ●ie in the air more to avoid the daunder of dreadful Chimaera, then for any thing else. The shepherds which drove us before them, wear well armed like warriors: One had a spear, an other had a shepehooke, some had darts, some clubs, some gathered up great stones, some held up their sharp javelins, and some feared away the Wolves with light firebrands. Finally we lacked nothing to make up an army, but only drums and trumpets, but when we had passed these dau●●gers not without small fear, we fortuned to fall into worse, for the Wolves came not upon us, either because of the great multitude of our company, or else because of our firebrands, or peradventure they were gone to some other place, for we could see none, but the inhabitants of the next villages (supposing that we were thieves by reason of our great multitude,) for the defence of their own substance, and for the fear they were in, set great and mighty mastiffs upon us, which they had kept & nourished for the safety of their houses, who compassing us round about, leapt on every side, tearing us with their teeth, in such sort that they pulled many of us to the ground, verily it was a pitiful sight to see so many dogs, some following such as flied, some invadinge such as stood still, some tearing those which lay prostrate, but generally there were none which escaped clear: Behold upon this an other danger ensued, the inhabitants of the town stood in their garrettes & windows, throwing great stones upon our heads, that we could not tell whether it were best for us to avoid the gaping mouths of the dogs at hand, or the peril of the stones a far, amongst whom there was one that hurled a great tinte upon a woman, which sat upon my back, who cried out piteously, desiring her husband to help her. Then he (coming to secure and aid his wife) began to speak in this sort: Alas masters what mean you to trouble us poor labouring men so cruelly? what mean you to revenge yourselves upon us, that do you no harm? what think you to gain by us? you dwell not in caves or dens: you are no people barbarous that you should delight in effusion of humane blood. At these words the tempest of stones did cease, & the storm of the dogs vanished away. Than one (standing on the top of a great Cypress tree) spoke unto us, saying: Think you not masters that we do this, to the intent to rifle or take away any of your goods, but for the saluegarde of ourselves and family, now a Gods name you may depart away. So we went forward some wounded with stones, some bitten with dogs, but generally there was none which escaped free.   

¶ How the shepherds determined to abide in a certain wood to cure their wounds.  
Cap. 34.  
WHen we had gone a good part of our way we came to a certain wood environed with great trees, & compassed about with pleasant meadows, whereas the shéepeherdes appointed to continue a certain space to cure their wounds, and sores, than they sat down on the ground to refresh their weary minds, and afterwards they sought for medicines to heal their bodies, some washed away their blood with the water of the running river: some stopped their wounds with sponges and clouts, in this manner every one provided for his own safety. In the mean season we perceived an old man, who seemed to be a shéepeherde by reason of the goats and sheep that fed round about him: 
A dreadful place of danger  Then one of our company demanded whether he had any milk, butter, or cheese to sell. To whom he made answer shaking his head, saying: Do you look for any meat or drink, or any other refection here? know you not in what place you be? & therewithal he took his sheep & drove them away as fast as he might possible. This answer made our shéepeherdes greatly to fear that they thought of nothing else butto inquire what country they wear in: Howbeit, they saw no manner of person of whom they might demand. At length as they wear thus in doubt, they perceived an other old man with a staff in his hand, very weary with travel, who approaching nigh to our company, began to weep and complain, saying: Alas masters, I pray you secure me miserable caitiff, and restore my neiphewe to me again, that by following a sparrow that flew before him, is fallen into a ditch hereby, and verily I think he is in danger of death. As for me, I am not able to help him out by reason of my old age, but you that are so valiant and lusty, may easily help me herein, and deliver me my boy, my heir and guide of my life. These words made us all to pity him: And then the youngest and stoutest of our company, who alone escaped best the late skirmish of dogs and stones, rose up, demanding in what ditch the boy was fallen: Marry (ꝙ he) yonder, and pointing with his finger, brought him to a great thicket of bushes and thorn, where they both entered in. In the mean season, after that we had well refreshed ourselves and cured our wounds, we took up our packs, purposing to departed away. And because we would not go away without the young man our fellow: The shepherds whistled and called for him, but when he gave no answer, they sent one of their company to seek him out, who after a while returned again with a pale face and sorrowful news, saying: that he saw a terrible Dragon eating and devouring their companion: and as for the old man, he could see him in no place. When they heard this (remembering likewise the words of the first old man that shaketh his head and drove away his sheep) they ran away beating us before them, to fly from this desert and pestilent country.   

¶ How a woman killed herself, and her child, because her husband haunted harlots.  
Cap. 35.  
AFter that we had passed a great part of our journey we came to a certain village, where we lay all night, but hearken and I will tell you a great mischief that happened there. You shall understand that there was a servant to whom his master had committed the whole government of his house, and was master of the lodging where we lay: this servant had married a maiden of the same house, how be it he was greatly in love with a harlot of the town, and accustomed to resort unto her, wherewith his wife was so highly displeased and became so jealous, that she gathered together all her husbands substance, with his tails and books of account, & threw them into a light fire, she was not contented with this, but she took a cord & bound her child which she had by her husband about her middle, & cast herself headlong into a deep pit: The master taking in evil part the death of these twain, took his servant which was the cause of this murder by his luxury, and first after that he had put of all his apparel, he anointed his body with honey, and then bound him sure to a fig tree, where, in a rotten stock a great number of Pismares had builded their nests, the Pismares after they had felt the sweetness of the honey came upon his body, and by little and little (in continuance of time) devoured all his flesh, in such sort that there remained on the tree nothing else save his base bones: this was declared unto us by the inhabitants of the village there who greatly sorrowed for the death of this servant: then we avoiding likewise from this dreadful lodging, incontinently departed away.   

¶ How Apuleius was cheapened by divers persons, and how they looked in his mouth to know his age.  
Cap. 36.  
AFter this we came to a fair City very populous, where our shéepeherdes determined to continue, by reason that it seemed a place where they might live unknown, far from such as should pursue them, and because it was a country very plentiful of corn and other victuals, where when we had remained the space of three days, & that I poor Ass, and the other horses were fed & kept in the Stable to the intent we might seem more saleable, we were brought out at length to the market, and by & by a crier sounded with his horn to notify that we were to be sold, all my companion horses were bought up by gentlemen, butas for me I stood still forsaken of all men. And when many buyers came by and looked in my mouth to know mine age, I was so weary with opening my jaws that at length (unable to endure any longer) when one came with a stinking pair of hands, & grated my gums with his filthy fingers I bit them clean of, which thing caused the standers by to forsake me, as being a fierce and cruel beast: the crier when he had gotten a hoarse voice with crying, and saw that no man would buy me, began to mock me, saying: To what end stand we here with this vile Ass, this feeble beast, this slow jade with woorne hooves, good for nothing, but to make slues of his skin, why do we not give him to some body, for he earneth not his hay, in this manner he made all the standers by to laugh exceedingly, but my evil fortune which was ever so cruel against me, whom I by travel of so many countries could in no wise escape, did more and more envy me, with invention of new means to afflict my poor body, in giving me an other master as spiteful as the rest. There was an old man, somewhat bald, with long and grey hear, one of the number of those which go from door to door through out all the villages, bearing the image of the Goddess Syria, and playing with cymbals to get the alms of good and charitable folks, this old man came hastily towards the crier, and demanded where I was bred, marry (ꝙ he) in Cappadocia: then he inquired what age I was of, the crier answered as a mathematricien, which disposed to me my planets, that I was five years old, and willed the old man to look in my mouth, for I would not willingly (ꝙ he) incur the penalty of the law Cornelia in selling a free Citizin for a servile slave, by a Gods name this fair beast to ride home on, and about in the country: but this curious bier did never stint to question of my qualities, and at length he demanded whether I were gentle or no: gentle (ꝙ the crier) as gentle as a Lamb, tractable to all use, he will never bite, he will never kick, but you would rather think that under the shape of the Ass, there were some well advised man, which verily you may easily conject, for if you would thrust your nose in his tail you shall perceive how patient he is: Thus the crier mocked the old man, but he perceiving his taunts and jests, warred very angry, saying: Away doting crier, I pray the omnipotent and omniparent goddess Syria, saint Sabod, Bellona with her mother Idea, & Venus with Adonis to strike out both thine eyes that with taunting mocks haste scoffed me in this sort, dost thou think that I will put a Goddess upon the back of any fierce beast, whereby her divine image should be thrown down on the ground, and so I poor miser should be compelled (tearing my hear) to look for some Phisicien to help her? when I hard him speak this, I thought which myself suddenly to leap upon him like a mad Ass, to the intent he should not buy me, but incontinently there came an other Merchant that prevented my thought, and offered seventeen pence for me: then my master was glad and receiving the money, delivered me to my new master, who was called Philebus: and he carried his new servant home, and before he came to his house, he called out his daughters, saying: behold my daughters what a gentle servant I have bought for you, than they wear marvelous glad, and coming out prattling and shoutinge for joy, thought verily that he had brought home a fit & convenable servant for their purpose, but when they perceived that it was an Ass, they began to reprove him, saying: that he had not bought a servant for his maidens, but rather an Ass for himself. Howbeit (ꝙ they) keep him not wholly for your own riding, but let us likewise have him at commandment, therewithal they led me into the stable, & tied me to the manger, there was a certain young man with a mighty body well skilled in playing on instruments before the Goddess to get money, who (assoon as he espied me) entertained me very well, for he filled my rack & manger with meat, & spoke merely, saying: O master Ass you are welcome, now you shall take my office in hand, you are come to supply my room, and to ease me of my miserable labour: But I pray God thou mayst long live and please my master well, to th'end thou mayest continually deliver me from so great pain. When I hard his words, I did prognosticate my misery to come. The day following, I saw there a great number of persons appareled in divers colours, having painted faces, mytres on their heads, vestiments coloured like saffron, surplice of silk, and on their feet yellow shoes, who attired the Goddess in a robe of purple, and put her upon my back. Then they went forth with their arms naked to their shoulders, bearing with them great swords and mighty axes, and dancing like mad persons. After that we had passed many small villages, we fortuned to come to one Britunis house, where at our first entry, they began to hurl themselves hither and thither, as though they wear mad. They made a thousand jests with their feet and their heads: They would bite themselves: Finally, every one took his weapon and wounded his arms in divers places. Amongst whom there was one more mad than the rest, that fet many deep sighs from the bottom of his heart, as though he had been ravished in spirit, or replenished with divine power. And after that, he somewhat returning to himself invented and forged a great lie, saying: that he had displeased the divine majesty of the Goddess, by doing of something which was not convenable to the order of their holy Religion, wherefore he would do vengeance of himself: And therewithal he took a whip and scourged his own body, that the blood issued out abundantly, which thing caused me greatly to fear to see such wounds and effusion of blood, lest the same Goddess desiring so much the blood of men should likewise delire the blood of an Ass. 
So used they in old time to offer to Images.  After they were weary with hurling and beating themselves, they sat down. And behold, the inhabitants came in & offered gold, silver, vessels of wine, milk, cheese, flower, wheat, and other things: Amongst whom there was one that brought barley to the Ass that carried the Goddess, but the greedy horsons thrust all into their sack which they brought for the purpose, and put it upon my back, to th'end I might serve for two purposes, that is to say: for the barn by reason of my corn, and for the temple, by reason of the goddess. In this sort they wet from place to place robbing all the country over: At length they came to a certain castle, purposing to make good cheer there, where under colour of divination, they brought to pass that they obtained a fat sheep of a poor husbandman for the Goddess supper, & to make sacrifice withal. After that y● banquet was prepared, they washed their bodies & brought in a tale young man of the village to sup with them, who skaree tasted a few pottage when they began to discover their beastly customs & inordinate desire of unnatural luxury. For they compassed him round about sitting at the table, & abused the young man contrary to all nature & reason: When I beheld this horrible fact, I could not but attempt to utter my mind and say, O masters, but I could pronounce no more but the first letter O, which I roared out so valiantly, that the young men of the town, seeking for a stray Ass that they had lost the same night, and hearing my voice, whereby they judged that I had been theirs, entered into the house unwares, and found these persons committing their vile abomination, which when they saw, they declared to all the inhabitants by their unnatural villainy mocking and laughing at this the pure & clean chastity of their Religion. In the mean season, Phoebus & his company, (by reason of the bruit which was dispersed throughout all the Region there of their beastly wickedness) put all their trumpery upon my back & departed away about midnight. When we had passed a good part of our journey before the rising of the Sun, we came into a wide desert, where they conspired together to slay me. For after they had taken the Goddess from my back and set her gingerly upon the ground, they likewise took of my harness, and bound me surely to an oak, beating me with their whip, in such sort that all my body was mortified. Among whom there was one that threatened to cut of my legs with his hatchet, because by my noise I defamed his chastity, but the other regarding more their own profit then my utility, thought best to spare my life, because I might carry home the Goddess: So they jaded me again, driving me before them with their naked swords till they came to a noble city: where the principal patron bearing high reverence unto the Goddess, came in great devotion before us which Tympany, cymbals, & other instruments, & received her & all our company with much sacrifice & veneration: But there I remember, I thought myself in most danger, for there was one that brought to the master of the house, a fide of a fat buck for a present, which being hanged behind the kitchen door, not far from the ground, was clean eaten up by a greyhound that came in: The Cook when he saw the venison denoured, lamented & wept pitifully. And because supper time approached nigh, when as he should be reproved of to much negligence, he took a halter to hang himself, but his wife perceiving whereabout he went, can incontinently to him, and taking the halter in both her hands stopped him of his purpose, saying: O husband, are you out of your wits? what intend you to do? See you not a present remedy before your eyes ministered unto you by divine providence? I pray you husband follow my counsel, carry this strange Ass out into some secret place and kill him, which done cut of one of his sides, and sauce it well like the side of the buck, and set it before your master. Then the Cook hearing the counsel of his wife, was well pleased to slay me, to save himself: And to bring his purpose to pass, he went to the whetstone to sharp his tools accordingly.    

The ninth Book of Lucius Apuleius of the Golden Ass.  

¶ How Apuleius saved himself from the Cook by breaking his halter and of other things that happened.  
Cap. 37.  
IN this manner the traitorous Cook, prepared himself to slay me: And when he was ready with his knives to do his feat, I devised with myself how I might escape the present peril, and I did not long delay: for incontinently I broke the halter wherewith I was tied, and flinging my heels hither & thither to save myself, at length I ran hastily into a parlour where the master of the house was feasting with the priests of the Goddess Syria, and disquieted all the company, throwing down their meats and drinks from the table. The master of the house dismayed at my great disorder, commanded one of his servants to take me up, and lock me in some strong place to the end I might disturb them no more. But I little regarded my imprisonment, considering that I was happily delivered from the hands of the traitorous Cook: Howbeit fortune, or the fatal disposition of the divine providence, which neither can be avoided by wise counsel, neither yet by any wholesome remedy invented a new torment, for by & by a young lad came running into the parlour, all trembling and declared to the master of the house, that there was a mad dog running about in the streets, which had done much harm, for he had bitten many greyhounds and horses in the Inn by: and he spared neither man nor beast, for there was one Mytilius a mulettour, Ephestio a cook, Hyppatavius a chamberlain, and Appolonius a Phisicien, who (thinking to chase away yc mad dog) were cruelly wounded by him, in so much that many horses and other beasts infected with the venom of his poisonous teeth became mad likewise, which thing caused them all at the table greatly to fear, and thinking that I had been bitten in like sort, came out with spears, clubs, and pitchforkes purposing to slay me, and I had undoubtedly been slain had I not by and by crept into a chamber, where my master intended to lodge that night. Then they closed and locked fast the doors about me, and kept the chamber round, till such time as they thought that the pestilent rage of madness had killed me, when I was thus shut in the chamber alone, I laid me down upon the bed to sleep, considering it was long time past, since I lay and took my rest as a man doth, when morning was come, & that I was well reposed, I rose up lustily. In y● mean season they which watched about the chamber all night reasoned with themselves in this sort, verily (ꝙ one) I think the Ass be dead, so think I (ꝙ an other) for the outrageous poison of madness hath killed him, but being thus in divers opinions of a poor Ass, they looked through a crevice, & espied me standing still, sober & quiet in the middle of the chamber, than they opened the doors, and came towards me to prove whether I were gentle or no. Amongst whom there was one, which in my opinion was sent from heaven to save my life, that willed the other to set a basin of fair water before me, & thereby they should know whether I were mad or no, for if I did drink without fear as I accustomed to do it was a sign that I was whole & in mine Assy wits, where contrary if I did fly & abhor the taste of the water, it was an evident proof of my madness, which thing he said y● he had red in ancient & credible books, whereupon they took a basin of clear water & presented it before me, but I, as soon as I perceived the wholesome water of my life, ran incontinently & thrusting my head into the basin, drank as though I had been greatly a thirst, than they stroked me with their hands, and bowed mine ears, & took me by the halter to prove my patience, but I taking each thing in good part, disproved their mad presumption by my meekness & gentle behaviour: when I was thus delivered from this double danger, the next day I was jaded again with the goddess Syria, & other trumpery, and was brought out into the way with trumpets & cymbals, to beg in the villages, which we passed by according to our custom. And after that we had gone through a few towns and castles, we fortuned to come to a certain village, which was builded (as the inhabitants there affirmed) upon the foundation of a famous & ancient City. And after that we had turned into the next Inn, we hard of a pretty jest committed in the town there, which I would that you should know likewise.   

¶ Of the deceit of a woman, which made her husband Coocko●le.  
Cap. 38.  
THere was a man dwelling in the town very poor that had nought but that which he got by the labour & travel of his hands: his wife was a fair young woman, but very lascivious & given to the appetite & desire of the flesh: it fortuned on a day that while this poor man was gone betimes in the morning to the field about his business, according as he accustomed to do, his wives lover secretly came into his house to have his pleasure with her. And so it chanced that during the time that he & she were busking together, her husband suspecting no such matter, returned home praising the chaste continency of his wife, in that he found his doors fast closed, wherefore as his custom was, he wistled to declare his coming home: them his crafty wife ready with present shifts caught her lover & covered him under a great tub standing in a corner: and therewithal she opened the door, blaming her husband in this sort. Comest y● home so every day with empty hands? and bringest nothing to maintain our house? thou hast no regard for our profit, neither providest for any meat or drink, where as I poor wretch do nothing day and night but occupy myself with spinning, & yet my travel will scarce find the candles which we spend. O how much more happy is my neighbour Daphue, that eateth and drinketh at her pleasure, and passeth the time with her amorous lovers according to her desire.  
What is the matter (ꝙ her husband) though our master hath made holiday at the fields, yet think not but that I have made provision for our supper, dost thou not see this tub that keepeth a place here in our house in vain, and doth us no service? behold I have sold it to a good fellow (that is here present) for five pence, wherefore I pray thee lend me thy hand that I may deliver him the tub: His wife (having invented a present shift) laughed on her husband, saying: what merchant I pray you have you brought home hither, to fetch away my tub for five pence, for which I poor woman that sit all day alone in my house have been proffered so often seven: Her husband being well apaid at her words, demanded what he was that had bought the tub: look (ꝙ she) he is gone under to see where it be sound or no, them her lover which was under the tub, began to stir & rustle himself, and because his words might agree to the words of the woman, he said: Dame will you have me tell the truth: this tub is rotten and krakt as me seemeth on every side. And then he turned himself to her husband, saying: I pray you honest man light a candle, that I may make the tub clean within, to see if it be for my purpose or no, for I do not mind to cast away my money wilfully: He, by & by (being made a very Ox) lighted a candle, saying: I pray you good brother put not yourself to so much pain, let me make the tub clean and ready for you, whereupon he put of his coat and crept under the tub to rub away the filth from the sides. In the mean season this minion lover cast his wife on the bottom of the tub, and had his pleasure with her over his head, and as he was in the midst of his pastime, he turned his head on this side, and that side, finding fault with this and with that, till as they had both ended their business, when as he delivered seven pence for the tub: and caused the good man himself to carry it on his back to his Inn.   

¶ How the priests of the goddess Syria, were taken and put in prison, and how Apuleius was sold to a Baker.  
Cap. 39  
AFter that we had tarried there a few days at the cost and charges of the whole village, and had gotten much money by our divination, and prognostication of things to come: The Priests of the Goddess Syria invented a new mean to pick men's purses, for they had certain lots, whereon written: 
So used feigned Egyptians of lat● years in England.  Coniuncti terram proscindunt boves ut in futurum laeta germinent sara: that is to say: The oxen tied and yoked together: do plough the ground to the intent it may bring forth his increase: And by these kind of lots they deceived many of the simple sort: for if one had demanded whether he should have a good wife or no, they would say that his lot did testify the same, that he should be tied and yoked to a good woman, and have increase of children: If one demanded whether he should by lands and possession, they said that he should have much ground that should yield his increase: If one demanded whether he should have a good & prosperous voyage, they said he should have good success, & it should be for the increase of his profit: If one demanded whether he should vanquish his enemies, & prevail in pursuit of thieves, they said that his enemies should be tied and yoked to him: and his pursuit after thieves should be prosperous. Thus by the telling of fortunes they gathered a great quantity of money, but when they were weary with giving of answers, they drove me away before them the next night, through a lane which was more dangerous and stony than the way which we went the night before: for on the one side were Quagmyres & foggy marshes, on the other side were falling trenches and ditches, whereby my legs failed me, in such sort that I could scarce come to the plain field paths. And behold by and by a great company of the inhabitants of the town, armed with weapons, and on horseback overtook us, and incontinently arresting Philebus and his Priests, tied them by the necks and beat them cruelly, calling them thieves and robbers, and after that they had manakled their hands: Show us (ꝙ they) the cup of Gold, which (under the colour of your solemn Religion) ye have taken away, and now ye think to escape in the night without punishment for your fact, by and by one came towards me, and thrusting his hand into the bosom of the Goddess Syria, brought out the cup which they had stole: How be it for all their robbery which appeared evident and plain, they would not be confounded nor abashed, but jesting & laughing out the matter, 'gan say: Is it reason masters that you should thus rigorously entreat us, and threaten for a small trifling cup, which the mother of the Goddess determined to give to her sister for a present, howbeit for all their lies and cavillations, they were carried back to the town and put in prison by the inhabitants, who taking the cup of gold, and the Goddess which I bore, did put and consecrate them amongst the treasure of the Temple: the next day I was carried to the market to be sold, and my price was set at seven pence, more than Philebus gave for me. There fortuned to pass by a Baker of the next village, who after that he had bought a great deal of corn, bought me likewise to carry it home, and when he had well jaded me therewith, he drove me through a thorny and dangerous way to his bakehouse, there I saw a great company of horses that went in the mill day and night grinding of corn, but lest I should be discouraged at the first, my master entertained me well, for the first day I did nothing but fare daintily, how be it such mine ease and felicity did not long endure: for the next day following I was tied to the mill betimes in the morning with my face covered, to the end in turning and winding so often one way, I should not become giddy but keep a certain course, but although when I was a man I had seen many such horsemilles, and knew well enough how they should be turned, yet feigninge myself ignorant of such kind of toil, I stood still and would not go, whereby I thought I should be taken from the mill as an Ass unapt, and put to some other light labour, or else to be driven into the fields to pasture: but my subtlety did me small good, for by and by when the mill stood still, the servants came about me, crying and beating me forward, in such sort that I could not stay to advise myself, whereby all the company laughed to see so sudden a change, when a good part of the day was past, that I was not able to endure any longer, they took of my harness, and tied me to the manger, but although my bones were weary, and that I needed to refresh myself with rest and provender, yet I was so curious that I did greatly delight to behold the bakers art, in so much that I could not eat nor drink while I looked on. O good Lord what a sort of poor slaves were there, some had their skin black and blue: some had their backs striped with lashes, some were covered with rugged sacks, some had their members only hidden: some ware such ragged clouts that you might perceive all their naked bodies, some were marked and burned in the forehedes with hot irons, some had their hear half clipped, some had locks on their legs, some were ugly and evil favoured, that they could scarce see, their eyes & faces were so black & dim with smoke, like those which fight together in the sands, & know not where they strike by reason of dust: And some had their faces all mealy, but how should I speak of the horses my companions, how they being old & weak, thrust their heads into the manger: they had their necks all wounded and worn away: they rattled their nostrils with a continual cough, their sides were bare with their harness and great travel, their ribs were broken with beating, their hooves were battered broad with incessant labour, and their skin rugged by reason of their lanknes: When I saw this dreadful sight, I greatly began to fear, lest I should come to the like state: And considering with myself the good fortune which I was sometime in when I was a man, I greatly lamented holding down my head, and would eat no meat, but I saw no comfort or consolation of my evil fortune, saving that my mind was somewhat recreated to hear and understand what every man said, for they neither feared nor doubted my presence: At that time I remembered how Homer the divine author of ancient Poetry, described him to be a wise man, which had traveled divers countries and nation's, wherefore I gave great thakes to my Assy form, in that by the mean I had seen the experience of many things, and was become more wise (not withstanding the great misery and labour which I daily sustained) but I will tell you a pretty jest, which cometh now to my remembrance, to the intent your ears may be delighted in bearing the same.   

¶ How Apuleius was handled by the Baker's wife, which was a harlot.  
Cap. 40.  
THe Baker which bought me was an honest and sober man, but his wife was the most pestilent woman in all the world, in so much that he endured many miseries and afflictions with her, so that ● myself did secretly pity his estate, and bewail his evil fortune: for she had not one fault alone, but all the mischiefs that could be devised, she was crabbed, cruel, lascivious, drunken, obstinate, niggishe, covetous, riotous in filthy expenses, an enemy to faith and chastity, a despiser of all the Gods whom other did honour, one that affirmed that she had a God by herself, whereby she deceived all men, but especially her poor husband, one that abandoned her body with continual whoredom: This mischievous quean hated me in such sort, 
There is no malice, above the malice of a woman.  that she commanded every day before she was up, that I should be put in the mill to grind: and the first thing which she would do in the morning was to see me cruelly beaten, and that I should grind when the other beasts did feed and take rest: when I saw that I was so cruelly handled, she gave me occasion to learn her conversation and life, for I saw oftentime a young man, which would priuilyg●e into her chamber, whose face I did greatly desire to see, but I could not by reason mine eyes were covered every day. And verily if I had been free and at liberty I would have discovered all her abomination: she had an old woman, a bawd, a messenger of mischief that daily haunted to her house, and made good cheer with her, to the utter undoing and impoverishment of her husband, but I that was greatly offended with the negligence of Fotis, who made me an Ass, in steed of a bird, did yet comfort myself by this only mean, in that to the miserable deformity of my shape, I had long ears, whereby I might here all things that was done: On a day I hard the old bawd say to the Baker's wife: Dame you have chosen (without my counsel) a young man to your lover, who as me seemeth is dull, fearful, without any grace, & dasterdly coucheth at the frowning looks of your odious husband, whereby you have no delight nor pleasure with him: 
Thus old bawds seweth for young knaves.  how far better is the young man Philesiterus, who is comely, beautiful, in the flower of his youth, liberal, courteous, valiant, and stout against the diligent pries and watches of your husband, worthy to embrace the worthiest dames of this country, and worthy to were a crown of gold, for one part that he played to one that was jealous over his wife: hearken how it was, and then judge the diversity of these two lovers, know you one Barbarus a Senator of our town, whom the vulgar people call likewise Scorpion for his severity of manners. This Barbarus had a gentle woman to his wife, whom he caused daily to be enclosed within his house with diligent custody, them the Baker's wife said I know her very well, for we two dwelled together in one house: Then you know (ꝙ the old woman) the whole tale of Philesiterus. No verily (said she) but I greatly desire to know it: therefore I pray you mother tell me the whole story. By and by the old woman which knew well to babble, began to tell as followeth.   

¶ How Barbarus being jealous over his wife, commanded that she should be kept close in his house, and what happened.  
Cap. 41.  
YOu shall understand that on a day this Barbarus preparing himself to ride abroad, and willing to keep the chastity of his wife (whom he so well loved) alone to himself called his man Myrmex (whose faith he had tried and proved in many things) and secretly committed to him the custody of his wife, willing him that he should threaten, that if any man did but touch her with his finger as he passed by, he would not only put him in prison, 
What is more worse than a jealous person.  and bind him hand and foot, but also cause him to be put to death, or else to be famished for lack of sustenance, which words he confirmed by Oath of all the Gods in heaven, and so he departed away: When Barbarus was gone, Myrmex being greatly astonished at his masters threatenings, would not suffer his mistress to go abroad, but as she sat all day a spinning, he was so careful that he sat by her, when night came he went with her to the baynes, holding her by the garment, so faithful he was to fulfil the commandment of his master: How be it the beauty of this noble Matron could not be hidden from the burning eyes of Philesiterus, who considering her great chastity, and how she was diligently kept by Myrmex, thought it impossible to have his purpose, yet (endeavouring by all kind of means to enterprise the matter, and remembering the fragility of man, 
Gold conquereth all things.  that might be enticed and corrupted with money, since as by Gold the adamant gates may be opened) on a day when he found Myrmex alone he discovered his love, desiring him to show his favour (otherwise he should certainly die) with assurance that he need not to fear when as he might privily be let in and out in the night, without knowledge of any person. When he thought, with these, and other gentle words, to allure and prick forward the obstinate mind of Myrmex, he showed him glittering gold in his hand, saying: that he would give his mistress twenty crowns, and him ten, but Myrmex hearing these words was greatly troubled, abhorring in his mind to commit so wicked a mischief: wherefore he stopped his ears, & turning his head departed away: howbeit the glistering h●w of these crowns could never out of his mind, but being at home he seemed to see the money before his eyes, which was so worthy a pray wherefore poor Myrmex being in divers opinions could not tell what to do, for on the one side he considered the promiss which he made to his master, and the punishment which should ensue if he did contrary. On the other side he thought of the gain, & the passing pleasure of the crowns of Gold, in the end the desire of the money did more prevail than the fear of death, for the beauty of the slourishinge crowns did so stick in his mind, that where the menaces of his master compelled him to tarry at home, the pestilent avarice of the Gold egged him out a doors, wherefore putting all shame aside without further delay, he declared the whole matter to his mistress, 
Women easily alured by gifts.  who according to the nature of women, when she hard him speak of so great a sum, she bound Chastity in a string, and gauè authority to Myrmex to rule her in that case. Myrmex seeing the intent of his mistress, was very glad, and for great desire of the gold, 
Here gold broke faith and trust.  he ran hastily to Philesiterus declaring that his mistress was consented to his mind, wherefore he demanded the gold which he promised: Then incontinently Philesiterus delivered him ten crowns: and when night came, Myrmex brought him disguised into his mistress chamber. About midnight when he and she wear naked together, making sacrifice unto the Goddess Venus, behold, her husband (contrary to their expectation) came and knocked at the door, calling with a loud voice his servant Myrmex: Whose long tarrying, increased the suspicion of his master, in such sort, that he threatened to beat Myrmex cruelly: but he being troubled with fear, and driven to his latter shifts, excused the matter, saying that he could not find the kaie: by reason it was so dark. In the mean season Philesiterus heating the noise at the door, slipped on his coat, and privily ran out of the chamber. When Myrmex had opened the door to his master that threatened terribly, and had let him in, he went into the chamber to his wife: In the mean while Myrmex let out Philesiterus, & barred the doors fast, and went again to bed. The next morning, 
Haste is no● good.  when Barbarus awaked, he perceived two unknown slippers lying under his bed, which Philesiterus had forgotten when he went away. Then he conceived a great suspicion and jealousy in his mind, howbeit, he would not discover it to his wife neither to any other person, but putting secretly the slippers in his bosom, commanded his other servants to bind Myrmex incontinently, and to bring him bound to the justice after him, thinking verily that by the mean of the slippers he might bolt out the matter. It fortuned that while Barbarus went toward the justice in a fury & rage, and Myrmex fast bound, followed him weeping, not because he was accused before his master, but by reason he knew his own conscience guilty. Behold, by adventure Philesiterus (going about earnest business) fortuned to meet with them by the way, who fearing the matter which he committed the night before, & doubting lest it should be known, did suddenly invent a mean texcuse Myrmex, for he ran upon him & beat him about the head with his fists cruelly, saying: Ah mischievous varlet that thou art, and perjured knave. It were a good deed if the Goddess and thy master here, would put the to death, for thou art worthy to be imprisoned, and to wear out these irons, that stalest my slippers away when thou werest at the baynes yester night. Barbarus hearing these words, returned incontinently home, & called his servant Myrmex, commanding him to deliver the slippers again to y● right owner.  
The old woman had scars finished her tale, when the Baker's wife 'gan say: Verily she is blessed & most blessed, that hath the fruition of so worthy a lover, but as for me poor miser, I am fallen into the hands of a coward, who is not only afeard of my husband, but also of every clap of the mill, and dares do nothing before the blind face of yonder scabbed Ass. Then the old woman answered, I promise you certainly, if you will, you shall have this young man at your pleasure, and therewithal when night came, 
A harlot spendeth the substance of her husband.  she departed out of her chamber. In the mean season, the Baker's wife made ready a supper with abundance of wine, & exquisite fare: So that there lacked nothing but the coming of the young man: For her husband supped at one of her neighbour's house. When time came that my harness should be taken of & that I should rest myself, I was not so joyful of my liberty, as when y● vail was taken from mine eyes, I should see all the abomination of this mischievous quean. When night was come & the Sun gone down, behold the old Bawd & the young man, who seemed to me but a child, by reason he had no beard, came to the door: Then the Baker's wife kissed him a thousand times, & receiving him courteously, placed him down at the table: but he had scarce eaten the first morsel, when y● good man (contrary to his wife's expectation) returned home, for she thought he would not have come so soon: But lord how she cursed him, praying God that he might break his neck at the first entry in. In the mean season, she caught her lover and thrust him into the been where she bolted her flower, and dissimuling the matter, finely came to her husband, demanding why he came home so soon. I could not abide (ꝙ he) to see so great a mischief & wicked fact which my neighbour's wife committed, but I must run away: Oh harlot as she is, how she hath dishonoured her husband. I swear by this Goddess Ceres, that if I had not seen it with mine eyes, I would never have believed it. His wife desirous to know the matter, desired him to tell what she had done: Then he accorded to the request of his wife, 
As quick of sight abroad as linx: but blin●● at home.  and ignorant of the state of his own house, declared the mischance of an other. You shall understand (ꝙ he) that the wife of the Fuller my companion, who seemed to be a wise and chaste woman, regarding her own honesty, and the profit of her house, was sound this night with her knave. For while we went to wash our hands, he and she wear together: Who being troubled by our presence ran into a corner, where she thrust him into a mew made with twigs, appointed to lay on clothes to make them white with the smoke and fume of brimstone. Then she sat down with us at the table to colour the matter: In the mean season the young man covered in the mewe, could not forbear snysing, by reason of the smoke of the brimstone. The good man thinking it had been his wife that snysed, cried Christ help: But when he snysed more and more, he suspected the matter, and willing to know who it was, rose from the table, and went to the mewe where he found the young man well nte dead with smoke. When he understood the whole matter, he was so inflamed with anger, that he called for a sword to kill him: and undoubtedly he had killed him, had not I restrained his violent hands from his purpose, assuring him that his enemy would die with the force of the brimstone without the harm which he should do: Howbeit, my words would not appease his fury, but as necessity required, we took the young man well nigh choked, & carried him out at the doors. In the mean season, I counseled his wife to absent herself at her neighbour's houses, till the collar of her husband was pacified, lest he should be moved against her, as he was against the young man. And so being weary of their supper, I forthwith returned home. 
Abhorring such crimes in others 〈◊〉 they use themselves.  When the Baker had told this tale, his impudent wife began to curse and abhor the wife of the Fuller, and generally all other wives which habandom their bodies with any other then with their own husbands, breaking the faith & bond of marriage, whereby she said they were worthy to be burned alive: But knowing her own guilty conscience and proper whoredom, lest her lover should be hurt, lying in the bin, she willed her husband to go to bed, but he having eaten nothing, said that he would sup before he went to rest: wherefore she was compelled maugre her eyen, to set such things on the table as she had prepared for her lover. But I, considering the great mischief of this wicked quean, devised with myself how I might reveal the matter to my master, and by kicking away the cover of the been (where like a snail the young man was couched) to make her whoredom apparent and known, at length I was aided by the providence of God, for there was an old man to whom the custody of us was committed, that drove me poor Ass, and the other horses the same time to the water to drink, than had I good occasion ministered to revenge the injury of my master, for as I passed by I perceived the fingers of the young man upon the side of the been, and lifting up my heels I spurned of the flesh with the force of my hooves, whereby he was compelled to cry out, and to throw down the been on the ground, 
Whoredom willbe known.  & so the whoredom of the Baker's wife was known and revealed. The Baker seeing this, was little moved at the dishonesty of his wife, but he took the young man trembling for fear by the hand, & with cold and curteise words spoke in this sort: Fear not my son nor think that I am so barbarous or cruel person, that I would sti●●e thee up with the smoke of Sulphur, as our neighbour accustometh, nor I will not punish thee according to the rigour of the law julia, which commandeth that adulterers should be put to death: No no, I will not execute my cruelty against so fair and comely a young man as you be, but we will divide our pleasure between us, by lying all three in one bed, to the end there may be no debate nor dissension between us, but that either of us may be contented, for I have always lived with my his neck appeared to her in the night, declaring the whole circumstance of his death, and how by enchantment he was descended to hell, which caused her to think that her father was dead. After that she had lamented a good space, & was somewhat comforted by the servants of the house, and when nine days were expired, as inheritrix to her father, she sold away all the substance of the house, whereby the goods chanced into divers men's hands.   

¶ How Apuleius after the Baker was hanged, was sold to a Gardener, and what dreadful things happened.  
Cap. 42.  
THere was a poor gardener amongst the rest, which bought me for the sum of fifty pence, which seemed to him a great price, but he thought to gain it again by the continual travel of my body: The matter requireth to tell likewise, how I was handled in his service. This gardener accustomed to drive me every morning jaded with herbs to the next village, & when he had sold his herbs, he would mount upon my back and return to the garden, & while he digged the ground, and watered the herbs, and went about other business, I did nothing but repose myself with great ease, but when winter approached, with sharp hail, rain, and frosts, and I standing always under a hedge side, was wellnigh killed up with cold, and my master was so poor that he had no lodging for himself, much less he had any litter or place to cover me withal, for he himself always lay under a little roof, shadowed and covered with bows. In the morning when I rose, I found my hooves shriveled together with cold, & unable to pass upon the sharp ice, & frosty mire, neither could I fill my belly with meat as I accustomed to do, for my master & I supped together and had both one fare: Howbeit it was very slender since as we had nothing else saving old and unsavoury salads, which were suffered to grow for seed, like long brooms, and that had lost all their sweet sape & juice. 
Poor fare and poor lodging in time of necessity is good.  It fortuned on a day that an honest man of the next village was benighted, and constrained by reason of the rain to lodge (very lagged and weary) in our garden, where although he was but meanly received, yet it served well enough considering time & necessity. This honest man to recompense our entertainment, promised to give my master some corn, oil, & two bottles of wine: wherefore my master not delaying the matter, jaded me with sacks & bottles, and road to the town which was seven miles of, when we came to the honest man's house, he entertained & feasted my master exceedingly, and it fortuned while they eat and drank together, as sign of great amity there chanced a strange and dreadful case: 
Terrible tokens.  for there was a hen which ran kacklinge about the yard, as though she would have laid an egg: The goodman of the house perceiving her, said: O good and profitable pullet that feedest us every day with thy fruit, thou seemest as though thou wouldst give us some pittance for our dinner; Ho boy put the pannier in the corner that the hen may lay. Then the boy did as his master commanded, but the hen forsaking the pannier came towards her master, and laid at his feet not an egg which every man knoweth, but a chicken with feathers, claws and eyes, which incontinently ran péepinge after his dame. 
Such things happen before death and dreadful chances,  By and by, happened a more strange thing which would cause any man to abhor, under the table where they sat the ground opened, & there appeared a great well and fountain of blood, in so much that the drops thereof sprinkled about the table: At the same time while they wondered at this dreadful sight, one of the servants came running out of the seller, and told that all the wine was boiled out of the vessels, as though there had been some great fire under: By and by a weasel was seen that drew into the house a dead Serpent, and out of the mouth of a shéepeherdes' dog leapt a live frog, and immediately after one brought word that a Ram had strangled the same dog with one bit: All these things that happened astonished the good man of the house, and the residue that were present, in so much they could not tell what to do, or with what sacrifice to appease the anger of the Gods. While every man was thus stricken in fear: behold one brought word to the goodman of the house, 
The thing which the said strange tokens foreshowed.  that his three sons who had been brought up in good literature, and endued with good manners were dead, for they three had great acquaintance and ancient amity with a poor man, which was their neighbour and dwelled hard by them. And next unto him dwelled an other young man very rich both in lands and goods, but bending from the race of his progenies dissensions, and ruling himself in the town according to his own will. This young roister did mortally hate this poor man, in so much that he would kill his sheep, steal his Oxen, 
Might, overcometh right.  and spoil his corn and other fruits, before the time of ripeness, yet was he not contented with this, but he would encroach upon the poor man's ground and claim all his heritage as his own: The poor man which was very simple and fearful, seeing all his goods taken away by the avarice of the rich, called together and assembled many of his friends to show them the meats and bounds of his land, to the end he might have but so much ground of his father's heritage as might bury him. Amongst whom he found these three brethren as friends to help and aid him in his adversity and tribulation: How be it the presence of these honest Citizens, could in no wise persuade him to leave his extort power, no nor yet to cause any temperance of his tongue, but the more they went about with gentle words to tell him his faults, the more would he fret and fume, swearing all the Oaths under God, that he little regarded the presence of the whole City, whereupon incontinently he commanded his servants to take the poor man by the ears, and carry him out of his ground, which greatly offended all the standers by: Then one of the brethren spoke unto him somewhat boldly, saying: It is but a folly to have such affiance in your richesses, whereby you should use your tyranny against the poor, 
The law redresseth the poor man's caus●  when as the law is common for all men, and a redress may be had to suppress your insolence.  
These words chased him more than the burning oil, or flaming brimstone, or scourge of whips, saying: that they should be all hanged & their laws too, before he would be subject to any person: and therewithal he called out his bandogs, & great mastiffs, which accustomed to eat the karrein & karkeiss of dead beasts in the fields, and to set upon such as panssed by the way, than he commanded they should be put upon all the assistance to tear them in pieces, who assoon as they hard the hiss of their masters, ran fiercely upon them, invading them on every side, in so much that the more they flied to escape away, the more cruel and terrible were the dogs. It fortuned amongst all this fearful company, that in running, the youngest of the three brethren, stumbled at a stone, and fell down to the ground: Then the dogs came upon him and tore him in pieces with their teeth, whereby he was compelled to cry out for succour: His other two brethren hearing his lamentable voice, ran towards him to help him, casting their cloaks about their left arms, took up stones to chase away the dogs, but all was in vain, for they might see their brother dismembered in every part of his body: Who lying at the very point of death, desired his brethren to revenge his death against the cruel tyrant: And therewithal he gave up the ghost. The other two brethren perceiving so great a murder, and neglecting their own lives, like desperate persons dressed themselves against the tyrant, and threw a great number of stones at him, but the bloody thief exercised to such & like mischiefs, took a spear & thrust him clean through the body: Howbeit he fell not down to the ground. For the spear that came out at his back ran into the earth and sustained him up, by and by came one of this tyrants servants the most sturdiest of the rest to help his master, who at his first coming, took up a stone, & threw at the third brother, but by reason the stone ran along his arm it did not hurt him, which chanced otherwise then all men's expectation was, by and by the young man feigning that his arm was greatly wounded, spoke these words unto the cruel bloodsucker: Now mayst thou, ●hou wretch triumph upon the destruction of all our family, now haste thou fed thy insatiable cruelty with the blood of three brethren, now mayst thou rejoice at the fall of us Citizens, yet think not but that how far so ever thou dost remove and extend the bounds of thy land, thou shalt have some neighbour, but how greatly am I sorry in that I have lost mine arm where withal I minded to cut of thy head, when he had spoken these words: The furious thief drew out his dagger, & running upon the young man thought verily to have slain him, but it chanced otherwise: For the young man resisted him stoutly, & in buckling together by violence wrested the dagger out of his hand: which done, he killed the rich thief with his own weapon, 
Nothing worse then to fall into the hands of enemies.  and to the intent the young man would escape the hands of the servants, which came running to assist their master, with the same dagger he cut his own throat. These things were signified by the strange and dreadful wonders which fortuned in the house of the good man, who after he had hard these sorrowful tidings could in no wise weep, so far was he strooken with dolour, but presently taking his knife wherewith he cut his cheése and other meat before, he cut his own throat like wise, in such sort that he fell upon the board and imbrued the table with the streams of his blood in most miserable manner: Hereby was my master the gardener deprived of his hope, and paying for his dinner the watery tears of his eyes, mounted upon my back, and so we went homeward the same way as we came.   

¶ How Apueeius was found by his shadow.  
Cap. 43.  
AS we passed by the way we met with a tale soldier (for so his habit and countenance declared) who with proud and arrogant words, spoke to my master in this sort: Quorium vacuum ducis à suum? My master somewhat astonished at the strange sights which he saw before, and ignorant of the latin tongue road on & spoke never a word: The soldier unable to refrain his insolence & offended at his silence, struck him on the shoulders as he sat upon my back, than my master gently made answer that he understood not what he said, whereat the Soldier angrily demanded again whither he road with his Ass: Marry (ꝙ he) to the next City: but I (ꝙ the Soldier) have need of his help, to carry the trusses of our captain from yonder Castle, and therewithal he took me by the halter, and would violently have taken me away: but my master wiping away the blood of the blow which he received of the Soldier, desired him gently and cinily to take some pity upon him, and to let him depart with his own, swearing and affirming that his slow. Ass, we●nie dead with sickness, could scarce carry a few handfuls of herbs to the next town, much less he was able to bear any greater trusses: but when he saw the Soldier would in no wise be entreated, but ready with his staff to cleave my masters head, my master fell down at his ●éete, under colour to move him to some pity, but when he saw his time, he took the Soldier by the legs and cast him upon the ground: Then he buffeted him, thumped him, bit him, and took a stone and beat his face and his sides, that he could not turn● or defend himself, but only threaten that if ever he rose he would chop him in pieces. The Gardener when he hard him say so, drew out his javelin which he had by his side, and when he had thrown it away, he knocked and beatte him more cruelly than he did before, in so much that the Soldier could not tell by what means to save himself, but by feigninge that he was dead. Then my master took the javelin and mounted upon my back, riding in all haste to the next village, having no regard to go to his garden, and when he came thither, he turned into one of his friends house and declared all the whole matter, desiring him to save his life, and to hide himself and his Ass in some secret place, 
A friend in adversity is better than treasure.  until such time as all danger were passed. Then his friend not forgetting the ancient amity between them, entertained him willingly, and drew me up a pair of steers into a chamber, my master crept into a chest & lay hidden there with the cover closed fast: The Soldier (as I afterwards learned) rose up as one awaked from a drunken sleep, but he could scarce go by reason of his wounds: how be it at length by little and little through aid of his staff he came to the town, but he would not declare the matter to any person, nor complain to any justice, lest he should be accused of cowardice or dasterdnes, yet in the end he told some of his companions of all the matter that happened, than they took him, & caused him to be closed in some secret place, thinking that beside the injury which he had received, he should be accused of y● breach of his faith, by reason of the loss of his spear, & when they had learned the signs of my master, they went to search him out: at last there was an unfaithful neighbour y● told them where we were, then incontinently the Soldiers went to the justice, declaring that they had lost by the way a silver goblet of their Captains, and that a gardener had found it, who refusing to redelever the goblet, was hidden in one of his friends house: by and by the Magistrates understanding the loss of the captain, came to the doors where we were, and commanded our Host to deliver my master upon pain of death: Howbeit these threatenings could not enforce him to confess that he was within his doors, but by reason of his faithful promise, and for the saluegarde of his friend: he said, that he saw not the gardener a great while, neither knew where he was: the soldiers said contrary, whereby to know the verity of the matter, the Magistrates commanded their sergeants and ministers to search every corner of the house, but when they could find neither gardener nor Ass: There was a great contention between the Soldiers and our Host, for they said we wear within the house: and he said no, but I that was very curious to know the matter, when I hard so great a 'noys, put my head out of the window to learn what the stir and tumult did signify. It fortuned that one of the soldiers perceived my shadow, whereupon he began to cry, saying: that he had certainly seen me, than they were all glad and came up into the chamber and pulled me down like a prisoner, when they had found me they doubted nothing of the Gardener, but seeking about more narrowly, at length they found him couched in a chest. And so they brought out the poor Gardener to the justices, who was committed immediately to prison, but they could never forbear laughing from the time they found me by my shadow, whereof is risen a common proverb: The shadow of the Ass.    

The tenth Book of Lucius Apuleius of the Golden Ass.  

¶ How the Soldier drove Apuleius away, and how he came to a captain's house: And what happened there.  
Cap. 44.  
THe next day how my master the Gardener sped. I knew not, but the gentle Soldier, who was well beaten for his cowardice, led me to his lodging without the contradiction of any man: Where he jaded me well, and garnished my body (as seemed to me) like an Ass of arms. For on the one side I bore a helmet that shined exceedingly: On the other side a tergat that glistered more a thousand fold. And on the top of my burden, he had put a long spear, which things he placed thus gallantly, not because he was so expert in war, (for the Gardener proved contrary) but to th'end he might fear those which passed by, when they saw such a similitude of war. When we had gone a good part of our journey, over the plain and easy fields, we fortuned to come to a little town, where we lodged at a certain Captains house. And there the Soldier took me to one of the servants, while he himself went toward his captain: Who had the charge of a thousand men. And when we had remained there a few days, I understood of a wicked and mischievous fact committed there, 
A pitiful 〈◊〉 of a stepdame and her son in law.  which I have put in writing, to the●de you may know the same.  
The master of the house had a son instructed in good literature, and ende●●ed with virtuous manners, such a one as you would desire to have the like, long time before his mother died. And then his father married a new wife, and had an other child of the age of twelve years. This stepdame was more excellent in beauty then honesty: For she loved this young man her son in law, either because she was unchaste by nature, or because she was enforced by fate of stepmother, to commit so great a mischief. Gentle Reader, thou shalt not read of a fable, but rather a tragedy: This woman when her love began first to kindle in her heart, could easily resist her desire and inordinate appetite, by reason of shame and fear, lest her intent should be known: But, after that it compassed and burned every part of her breast, 
A thing rooted deep, can scars he pulled up.  she was compelled to yield unto the raging flame of Cupid, and under colour of the disease and infirmity of her body, to conceal the wound of her restless mind. Every man knoweth well the signs & tokens of love, & the malady convenient to the same: Her countenance was pale, her eyes sorrowful, her knees weak, & there was no comfort in her, but continual weeping & sobbing, in so much you would have thought that she had some spice of an ague, saving that she wept unmeasurably. The Physicians knew not her disease, when they felt the beating of her veins, the intemperance of her beat, the sobbing sighs, and her often tossing on every side: No, no, the cunning Physicians knew it not, but a scholar of Venus' court might easily conject the whole. After that she had been long time tormented in her affection, and was no more able to conceal her ardent de●●er, she caused her son to be called for (which word Son, she would feign put away, if it wear not for shame): Then he nothing disobedient to the commandment of his mother, with a sad and modest countenance, came into the chamber of his Stepdame, the mother of his brother: but she speaking never a word, was in great doubt what she might do, and could not tell what to say first, by reason of shame. This young man suspecting no ill, with humble courtesy demanded the cause of her present disease. Then she having found an occasion to utter her wicked intent, with weeping eyes and covered face, began boldly to speak unto him in this manner. Thou, thou, art the original cause of my present dolour: Thou art my comfort and only health, for those thy comely eyes, are so fastened within my breast, that unless thou succours me, I shall certainly die: Have pity therefore upon me, be not the occasion of my destruction, neither let thy conscience reclaim to offend thy father, when as thou shalt save the life of thy mother. Moreover, since as thou dost resemble thy father's shape in every point, it giveth me cause the more to fancy thee: Now is ministered unto thee time and place: Now haste thou occasion to work thy will, seeing that we are alone. And it is a common saying:  Never known, never done. 
This young man troubled in his mind, at so sudden an ill, although he abhorred to commit so great a crime, yet he would not cast her of with a present denial, but warily pacified her mind with delay of promiss. Wherefore he promised her to do all according to her defier: And in the mean season, he willed his mother to be of good cheer, and comfort herself, till as he might find some convenient time to come unto her, when his father was ridden forth: wherewithal he got him away, from the pestilent sight of his Stepdame. And knowing that this matter touching the ru●ue of all the whole house, needed the counsel of wise and grave persons, he went incontinently to a sage old man, and declared the whole circumstance of the matter. 
Wisdom lieth in hoar headed ●ge.  The old man after long deliberation, thought there was no better mean to avoid the storm of cruel fortune to come, then to run away. In the mean season this wicked woman impatient of her love, and the long delay of her son, egged her husband to ride abroad into far countries. And then she asked the young man the accomplishment of his promiss, but he to deliver himself, entirely from her hands, would find always excuses, till in the end, she understood by the messengers that came in and out, that he nothing regarded her. Then thee, by how much she loved him before, by so much & more she hated him now. And by and by, she called one of her servants, ready to all mischiefs: To whom she declared all her secrets. And there it was concluded betwenè them two, that the surest way was to kill the young man: Whereupon this Varlet went incontinently to buy poison, which he mingled with wine, to the intent he would give it the young man to drink, and thereby presently to kill him. But while they were in deliberation how they might offer it unto him. Behold, here happened a strange adventure. For the young son of the woman that came from school at noon (being very thirsty) took the pot wherein the poison was mingled, and ignorant of the hidden venom drank a good draft thereof, which was prepared to kill his brother: 
A woman either loveth thee burningly, or hateth the extremely.  Whereby he presently fell down to y● ground dead. His schoolmaster seeing this sudden chance called his mother, and all the servants of the house with a loud voice. Incontinently every man declared his opinion, touching the death of the child: But the cruel woman, the only example of stepmothers malice was nothing moved by the bitter death of her son, or by her own conscience of parricide, or by the misfortune of her house, or by the dolour of her husband but rather devised the destruction of all her family. For by and by she sent a messenger after her husband to tell him the great misfortune which happened after his departure. And when he came home the wicked woman declared that his son had empoisened his brother, because he would not consent to his will, and told him divers other lesinges, adding in y● end that he threatened to kill her likewise, because she discovered the fact: Then the unhappy father was strooken with double dolour of the death of his two children, for on the one side he saw his younger son slain before his eyes, on the other side he seemed to see the elder condemned to die for his offence: Again where he beheld his wife lament in such sort, it gave him farther occasion to hate his son more deadly, but the funerals of his younger son were scarce finished, when the old man the father with weeping eyes even at the return from the grave, went to the justice and accused his son of the slaughter of his brother, & how he threatened to slay his wife, whereby the rather at his weeping and great lamentation, he moved all the Magistrates & people to pity, in so much that without any delay, or further inquisition they cried all that he should be stonied to death, but the justices fearing a farther inconvenience: to arise by a particular vengeance, 
To proceed by law is justice, for law is very justice.  and to the end there might fortune no sedition amongst the people, prayed the Decurious and other officers of the City, that they might proceed by examination of witnesses, and with order of justice according to the ancient custom, before the giving of any hasty sentence, or judgement without hearing of the contrary part, like as the barbarous & cruel Tyrants accustom to use. Otherwise they should give an ill example to their successors, this opinion pleased every man, wherefore the Senators & counselours were called, who being placed in order according to their dignity, caused the accuser & defender to be brought forth, & by the example of the Atheman law, and judgement martial, their advocates were commauned to plead their causes briefly, without preambles or motions of the people to pity, 
The Ass speaketh.  which were to long a process: And if you demand how I understood all this matter, you shall understand that I hard many declare the same, but to recite what words the accuser used in his invective, what answer the defender made, the orations & pleadings of each party: verily I am not able to do, for I was fast bound at the manger, but as I learned & knew by others, I will God willing declare unto you: So it was ordered that after the pleadings of both sides was ended, they thought best to try & bolt out the verity by witnesses, all presumptions & likelihoods set a part, & to call in the servant, who only was reported to know all the matter, by & by the servant came in, who nothing abashed at the fear of so great a judgement, or at the presence of the judges, or at his own guilty conscience, which he, so finely feigned but with a bold countenance presented himself before the justices, & confirmed the accusation against the young man, saying: O ye judges, on a day when this young man loathed & hated his Stepmother he called me, desiring me to poison his brother, whereby he might revenge himself, & If I would do it, & keep the matter secret, he promised to give me a good reward for my pains, but when the young man perceived that I would not accord to his will, he threatened to slay me: whereupon he went himself & bought poison, & after tempered it with wine, & then gave it me to give to the child, which when I refused, he offered it to his brother with his own hands. When the varlet with a trembling countenance had ended these words, which seemed a likelihood of truth, the judgement was ended: neither was there found any judge or counsellor so merciful to the young man accused as would not judge him culpable, but y● he should be put & sown in a skin, with a dog, a cock, a snake, & an Ape, according to the law against parricides: 
Thus they used in old time to put such to death, as had killed any of their kindred. But that law was afterward abrogate.  wherefore there wanted nothing, but (as the ancient custom was) to put white stones & black, into a pot, and to take them out again, to see whether the young man accused should be acquitted by judgement or condemned, which was a thing irrevocable. In y● mean season he was delivered to y● hands of the executioner. But there arose a sage & ancient Physician, a man of good conscience & credit through out all the City, that stopped the mouth of the pot wherein the stones were cast, saying: I am right glad ye reverend judges, that I am a man of name & estimation amongst you, whereby I am accounted such a one as will not suffer any person to be put to death by false & untrue accusations, considering there hath been no homicide or murder committed by this young man in this case, 
judges are sworn to execute justice.  neither you (being sworn to judge uprightly) to be misinformed & abused by invented lies & tales: For I cannot but declare & open my conscience, lest I should be found to bear small honour & faith to the Gods: wherefore I pray you give ear, and I will show you the whole truth of the matter: you shall understand that this servant which hath merited to be hanged, came one of these days to speak with me, promising to give me a hundred crowns, if I would give him a present poison, which would cause a man to die suddenly, saying: that he would have it for one that was sick of an incurable disease, to the end he might be delivered from all his torment, but I smelling his crafty and subtle fetch, and fearing lest he would work some mischief withal, gave him a drink: but to the intent I might clear myself from all danger that might happen, I would not presently take the money, which he offered: but least any one of the crowns should lack weight or be found countrefaite, I willed him to seal the purse wherein they were put with his manuel sign, whereby the next day we might go together to the goldsmith to try them, which he did, wherefore understanding that he was brought present before you this day, I hastily commanded one of my servants to fetch the purse which he had sealed, & here I bring it unto you to see whether he will deny his own sign or no: and you may easily conject that his words are untrue, which he alleged against the young man touching the buying of the poison, considering he bought the poison himself. When the Physician had spoken these words you might perceive how the traitorous knave changed his colour, how he sweat for fear, how he trembled in every part of his body: 
〈◊〉 useth thieves to do, when evident proofs are shown.  And how he set one leg upon an other, scratching his head, and grinding his teeth, whereby there was no person but would judge him culpable. In the end when he was somewhat returned to his former subtlety, he began to deny all that was said, and stoutly affirmed that the Physician did lie. But the Physician perceiving that he was railed at and his words denied, did never cease to confirm his sayings and to disprove the varlet, till such time as the officers by the commandment of the judges, bound his hands and brought out the seal, wherewith he had sealed the purse, which augmented the suspicion which was conceived of him first. Howbeit neither the fear of the wheel or any other torment (according to the use of the Grecians) which wear ready prepared, no nor yet the fire could enforce him to confess the matter, so obstinate and grounded was he in his mischievous mind, but the Physician perceiving that the menaces of those torments did nothing prevail, 'gan say: I cannot suffer or abide that this young man who is innocent, should against all law and conscience be punished and condemned to die, & the other which is culpable should escape so easily, and after mock & flout at your judgement: For I will give you an evident proof and argument of this present crime, you shall understand that when this caitiff demanded of me a present and strong poison, considering that it was not my part to give occasion of any others death, 
The office of a Physician is to cute and not to kill, as I have hard tell many Physicians of speculation have done, before they have come to practise.  but rather to cure & save sick persons by mean of medicines: And on the other side, fearing lest if I should deny his request I might minister a further cause of his mischief, either that he would buy poison of some other, or else return and work his wicked intent with a sword or some dangerous weapon, I gave him no poison but a doling drink of Mandragora, which is of such force that it will cause any man to sleep as though he wear dead: Neither is it any marvel if this most desperate man, who is certainly assured to be put to death, ordained by an ancient custom, can suffer or abide these facile & easy torments: but if it be so that the child hath received the drink as I tempered it with mine own hands, he is yet alive and doth but sleep, and after his sleep he shall return to life again: but if he be dead in deed, then may you further inquire of the causes of his death: The opinion of this ancient Physician was found good, & every man had a desire to go to the sepulchre where y● child was laid, there was none of the justices, none of any reputation of the town, nor any of the common people, but went to see this strange sight: Amongst then all, the father of the child removed with his own hands the stone of the sepulchre, & found his son rising up after his dead & Soporiferous sleep, whom when he beheld he embraced him in his arms, & presented him before the people with great joy & consolation, & as he was wrapped & bound in his grave, so he brought him before the judges, whereupon the wickedness of the servant, & the treason of the stepdame was plainly discovered, & the verity of the matter revealed, whereby the woman was perpetually exiled, 
Sorrow into gladness, the women mentioned in the wars that the Romans had against the Carthaginienses, were so glad when they saw their sons alive, who were reported to be dead, that their hearts bra●●e a sunder, and so died for joy.  the servant hanged on a gallows, & the Physician had the crowns which was prepared to buy the poison: behold how the fortune of the old man was changed, who thinking to be deprived of all his race & posterity, was in one moment made the father of two children. But as for me I was ruled and handled by fortune, according to her pleasure.   

¶ How Apuleius was sold to two brethren, whereof one was a Baker, and the other a Cook, and how finely and daintily he fared.  
Cap 45.  
THe Soldier which paid never a penny for me, by the commandment of his captain, was sent unto Rome to carry letters to the great Prince, & general of the Camp, & before he went he sold me for eleven pence, to two of his companions, being servants to a man of worship, whereof one was a Baker that baked sweet bread & delicates: the other a Cook, which dressed fine and excellent meats for his master, these two lived in common, & would drive me from place to place to carry such things as was necessary, in so much that I was received by these two, as a third brother and companion, and I thought I was never better placed then with them: For when night came the supper was done & their business ended, they would bring many good morsels into their chamber for themselves: One would bring pigs, chickens, fish, & other good meats, the other fine bread, pasties, tarts, custards, & other delicate ionckettes dipped in honey. And when they had shut their chamber door and went to the baynes: (O Lord) how I would fill my guts with those goodly dishes: Neither was I so much a fool, or so very an Ass, to leave the dainty meats & grind my teeth upon hard hay. In this sort I continued a great space, for I played the honest Ass, taking but a little of one dish, and a little of an other, whereby no man mistrusted me. In the end I was more hardy & began to devour the whole messes, of the sweetest delicates, which caused the Baker & the Cook to suspect, how be it they never mistrusted me, but searched about to apprehend the thief: At length they began to accuse one an other of theft, & to set the dishes & morsels of meat in order, one by an other, because they would learn what was taken away, whereby one of them was compelled to say thus to his fellow: is it reason to break promise and faith in this sort, by stealing away the best meat, and to sell it to augment thy good, and yet nevertheless to have thy part of the residue that is left, if our partnershippe do mislike thee, we willbe partners and brothers in other things, but in this we will break of: for I perceive that the great loss which I sustain will at length be a cause of great discord between us: Then answered the other, verily I praise thy great constancy and subtleness, in that (when thou hast secretly taken away the meat) dost begin to complain first, whereas I by long space of time have suffered thee, because I would not seem to accuse my brother of theft, but I am right glad in that we are fallen into commnnication of this matter, least by our silence like contention might arise between us, as fortuned between Ethe●●les and his brother, when they had reasoned together in this sort: they swoore both earnestly that neither of them stolen or took away any jot of the meat, wherefore they concluded to search out the thief by all kind of means. For they could not imagine or think that the Ass, who stood alone there would eat any such meats, neither could they think that mice or slies, were so ravenous as to devour whole dishes of meat, like the birds Harpies which carried away the meats of Phineus king of Arcadia. In the mean season while I was fed with dainty morsels I gathered together my flesh, my skin waxed soft, my hear began to shine, and I was gallant on every part, but such fair and comely shape of my body was cause of my dishonour, for the Baker and the Cook marveled to see me so slike and fine, considering I did eat no hay at all: Wherefore on a time at their accustomed hour they went to the baynes & locked their chamber door. It fortuned that ear they departed away, they espied me through a hole how I fell roundly to my victuales: Then they marveled greatly, and little estéeminge the loss of their meat laughed exceedingly, calling the servants of the house, to show them the greedy gorge and appetite of the Ass. Their laughing was so immoderate, that the master of the house hard them, & demanded the cause of their laughter, and when he understood all the matter, he looked through the hole likewise, wherewith he took such a delectation that he commanded the door to be opened, that he might see him at his pleasure. Then I beholding every man laugh, was nothing abashed, but rather more bold, whereby I never rested eating, till such time as the master of y● house commanded me to be brought into his parlour as a novelty, & there caused all kinds of meats, which were never touched to be set on the table, which (although I had eaten sufficiently before, yet to win the further favour of the master of the house) I did greedily devour, & made a clean riddance of the delicate meats. And to prove my nature wholly, they gave me such meat as every Ass doth greatly abhor: for they put before me beef and vinegar, bi●des and pepper, fish & vergisse, in the mean season, they that beheld me at the table did nothing but laugh: Then one of the servants of the house said to his master, I pray you sir give him some drink to his supper: Marry (ꝙ he) I think thou sayest true: For so it may be that to his meat, he would drink likewise a cup of wine. No boy, wash yonder pot, and fill it with wine, which done carry it to the Ass, and say that I have drunk to him. Then all the standers by looked on, to see what would come to pass, but I (assoon as I beheld the cup) stayed not long, but gathering my lips together, supped up all the wine at one draft: The master being right joyful hereat, caused the Baker and the Cook, which had bought me to come before him, to whom he delivered four times as much for me as they paid, which done he committed me to one of his rich libertines, and charged him to look well to me, and that I should lack nothing, who obeyed his masters commandment in every point: And to the end he would creep further into his favour, he taught me a thousand qualities. First he instructed me to sit at the table upon my tail, and how I should leap & dance holding up my former feet, moreover he taught me how I should answer when any body spoke unto me, with nodding my head, which was a strange & marvelous thing, & if I did lack drink, I should look still upon the pot. All which things I did willingly bring to pass, & obeyed his doctrine: howbeit I could have done all these things without his teaching, but I feared greatly least in showing myself cunning without a master, I should portend some great and strange wonder, & thereby be thrown out to wild beasts. But my fame was spread about in every place, and the qualities which I could do, in so much that my master was renowned through out all the country by reason of me. For every man would say: Behold the gentleman that hath an Ass, that will eat and drink with him, that will dance, and understanding what is said to him, will show his fantasy by signs. But first I will tell you (which I should have done before) who my master was, and of what country, his name was Thiasus, he was borne at Corinth, which is the principal town of all Achaia, he had passed many offices of honour, till he had taken upon him the degree Quinquenuall, according as his birth and dignity required, who to show his worthiness, and to purchase the benevolence of every person, appointed public joys and triumphs, to endure the space of three days, and to bring his endeavour to pass, he came into Thessaly to buy excellent beasts, & valiant fighters for the purpose.   

¶ How a certain Matron fell in love with Apuleius, and how he had his pleasure with her, and what other things happened.  
Cap. 46.  
WHen he had bought such things ss was necessary, he would not return home into his country in chariots, or wagons, neither would he ride upon Thessalian horses, or gennettes of france, or spanish mules, which be most excellent that can be found, but caused me to be garnished and trimmed with trappers & bards of gold, with brave harness, with purple coverings, with a bridle of silver, with pictured clothes, & with shrillinge bells, & in this manner he code upon me lovingly, speaking & entreating me with gentle words, but above all things he did greatly rejoice, in that I was his servant to bear him upon my back, and his companion to feed with him at the table: After long time when we had traveled aswell by sea as land, & fortuned to arrive at Corinth, the people of the town came about us on every side, not so much to do honour unto Thiasus as to see me: For my fame was so greatly spread there, that I gained my master much money, and when the people was desirous to see me play qualities, they caused the gates te be shut, and such as entered in should pay money, by means whereof, I was a profitable companion to them every day: There fortuned to be amongst the assembly a noble and rich Matron, that conceived much delight to behold me, in so much that she was amorous of me, and could find no remedy to her passions and disordinate appetite, but continually desired to have her pleasure with me, as Pasiphae had with a Bull. In the end she promised a great reward to my keeper for the custody of me one night, who for gain of a little money acccorded to her desire, and when I had supped in a parlour with my master, we departed away and went into our chamber, where we found the fair matron, who had tarried a great space for our coming: I am not able to recite unto you how all things there were prepared, there wear four Eunuques that laid a bed of down on the ground with bolsters accordingly for us to lie on, the coverlette was of cloth of Gold, and the pillows soft and tender, whereon the delicate Matron had accustomed to lay her head, than the Eunuques not minding to delay any longer the pleasure of their Mistress, closed the doors of the chamber and departed away, within the chamber wear lamps that gave a clear light all the place over: Then she put of all her garments to her naked skin, and taking the lamp that stood next to her, began to anoint all her body with balm, and mine likewise, but especially my nose, which done she kissed me, not as they accustom to do at the stews, or in brothel houses, or in the courtisant schools for gain of money, but purely, sincerely, and with great affection, casting out these and like loving words: Thou art he whom I love, thou art he whom I only desire, without thee I cannot live, and other like preamble of talk, as women can use well enough, when they mind to show or declare their burning passions and great affection of love: Then she took me by the halter and cast me upon the bed, which was nothing strange unto me, considering that she was so beautiful a Matron, and I so well bolen out with wine, and perfumed with balm, whereby I was readily prepared for the purpose: But nothing grieved me so much, as to think how I should with my huge and great legs embrace so fair a matron, or how I should touch her fine, dainty, and silken skin, with my hard hooves, or how it was possible to kiss her soft, her pretty and ruddy lips, with my monstrous mouth and stony teeth, or how she, who was so young and tender, could be able to receive me. And I (verily thought) if I should hurt the woman by any kind of mean, I should be thrown out to the wild beasts: But in the mean season she kissed me, and looked on me with burning eyes, saying: I hold thee my coney, I hold thee my nops, my sparrow, and therewithal she eftsoons embraced my body round about, and had her pleasure with me, whereby I thought the mother of Minotaurus, did not causeless quench her inordinate de●ier with a Bull. When night was passed, 
Here I have lef● out certain lines propter honestatem.  with much joy and small sleep: The matron went before day to my keeper, to bargain with him for an other night, which he willingly granted, partly for gain of money, and partly to find new pastime for my master. Who after he was informed of all the history of my luxury, was right glad, and rewarded my keeper well for his pains, minding to show before the face of all the people what I could do: but because they would not suffer the matron to abide such shame, by reason of her dignity, and because they could find no other that would endeavour so great a reproach. At length they obtained for money, a poor woman, which was condemned to be eaten of wild beasts, with whom I should openly have to do. But first I will tell you what a tale I hard, concerning this woman. This woman had a husband, whose father minding to ride forth, commanded his wife which he left at home great with child, that if she wear delivered of a daughter, it should incontinently be killed.  
When the time of her delivery came, it fortuned that she had a daughter, whom she would not suffer to be slain, by reason of the natural affection which she bore unto her child, but secretly committed her to one of her neighbours to nurse. And when her husband returned home, she declared unto him, that she was delivered of a daughter, whom as he commanded, she had caused to be put to death. But when this child came to age, and ready to be married: The mother knew not by what means she should endow her daughter, but that her husband should understand and perceive it. Wherefore she discovered the matter to her son, who was the husband of this woman, condemned to be eaten of wild beasts: For she greatly feared, lest he should unwares, fancy or fall in love with his own sister. The young man understanding the whole matter (to please & gratify his mother) went immediately to the young maiden, keeping the matter secret in his heart, for fear of inconvenience & (lamenting to see his sister forsaken, both of mother and father) incontinently after, endowed her with part of his own goods, and would have married her to one of his especial & trusty friends: But although he brought this to pass very secretly & sagely, yet in the end cruel and envious fortune, sowed great sedition in his house. For his wife, who was now condemned to beasts, waxed jealous of her husband, and began to suspect the young woman as a harlot and common quean, in so much that she invented all manner of means to dispatch her out of the way. And in the end, she invented this kind of mischief: She privily stolen away her husbands ring, & went into the country, where as she commanded one of her trusty servants, to take the ring & to carry it to the maiden. To whom he should declare that her brother did pray her to come into the country to him, & that she should come alone without any other person. And to th'end she should not delay but come with all speed, he should deliver her the ring, which should be a sufficient testimony of his message. The maiden, assoon as she had received the ring of her brother, being very willing & desirous to obey his commandment: (For she knew no otherwise but that he had sent for her) went in all haste as the messenger willed her to do. But when she was come to the snare & engine which was prepared for her: The mischievous woman, like one that were mad, & possessed with some ill spirit, scourged her first with rods from top to too, & when y● poor maiden called for help with a loud voice to her brother, the wicked harlot (weening y● she had invented & feigned the matter) took a burning fireband & thrust it into her secret place, whereby she died miserably. The husband of this maiden, but especially her brother, advertised of her death, came to the place where she was slain, & after great lamentation & weeping, they caused her to be buried honourably. The youngman her brother, taking in ill part the miserable death of his sister, as it was convenient he should, conceived so great dolour within his mind, & was strooken with so pestilent fury of bitter anguish, that he fell into the burning passions, of a dangerous ague, whereby he seemed in such necessity, that he needed to have some speedy remedy to save his life. The woman the slew the maiden, having lost the name of wife together with her faith, went to a traitorous Physician, who had killed a great many persons in his days, & promised him fifty pieces of gold if he would give her a present poison to kill her husband out of hand, but in presence of her husband, she feigned that it was necessary for him, to receive a certain kind of drink, which the masters and doctors of physic, do call a sacred potion, to th'intent he might purge choler, and scour the interior parts of his body. But the Physician, in steed of that drink, prepared a mortal and deadly poison, and when he had tempered it accordingly, he took the pot in presence of all the family, and other neighbours & friends of the sick young man, and offered it unto the patiented. But the bold and hardy woman, to th'end she might accomplish her wicked intent, and also gain the money which she had promised the Physician, staid the pot with her hand, saying: I pray you master Physician, minister not this drink unto my dear husband, until such time as you have drunk some part thereof yourself: For what know I, whether you have mingled any poison in the drink or no, wherein I pray you not to be offended: For I know that you are a man of wisdom and learning, but this I do to th'intent the conscience and love that I bear to the health & saluegarde of my husband, may be apparent. The Physician being greatly troubled at the wickedness of this mischievous woman, as void of all council and leisure to consider on the matter, and lest he might give any cause of suspicion to the standers by, or show any scruple of his guilty conscience, by reason of long delay, took the pot in his hand, & presently drunk a good draft thereof, which done, the young man having no mistrust, drunk up the residue. The Physician would have gone immediately home to receive a contrepoison, to expel & drive out the first poison: But the wicked woman persevering in her mischief, would not suffer him to depart one foot, until such time as the poison began to work in him, and then by much prayer and intercession, she licenced him to go home: By the way the poison invaded the entrails and bowels of the whole body of the Physician, in such sort that with great pain he came to his own house, where he had scarce time to speak to his wife, and to will her to receive the promised salary of the death of two persons, but he yielded up the ghost: And the other young man lived not long after, but likewise died, amongst the feigned and deceitful tears of his cursed wife. A few days after, when the young man was buried, and the funerals ended, the physicians wife demanded of her the fifty pieces of gold, which she promised her husband for the drink, whereat the ill disposed woman, with resemblance of honesty, answered her with gentle words, and promised to give her the fistie pieces of gold, if she would fetch her a little of that same drink, to proceed and make an end of all her enterprise. The physicians wife, partly to win the further favour of this rich woman, and partly to gain the money, ran incontinently home, & brought her the whole pot of poison, which when she saw, having now occasion to execute her further malice, began to stretch out her bloody hands to murder, she had a daughter by her husband (that was poisoned) who according to order of law, was appointed heir of all the lands & goods of her father, but this woman knowing that the mothers, succeed their children and receive all their goods after their death, purposed to show herself a like parent to her child, as she was a wife to her husband, whereupon she prepared a dinner with her own hands, and empoisoned both the wife of the Physician and her own daughter: The child being young and tender died incontinently, by force of the drink, but the physicians wife being stout and of strong complexion, feeling the poison t●ill down into her body doubted the matter, & thereupon knowing of certainty that she had received her bane, ran forthwith to the judges house, that what with her cries and exclamations, she raised up the people of the town, and promising them to reveal and show divers wicked and mischievous acts, caused that the doors and gates of the judge were opened, when she came in, she declared from the beginning to the end, the abomination of this woman, but she had scarce ended her tale, when opening her falinge lips, and grinding her teeth together, she fell down dead before the face of the judge, who incontinently to try the truth of the matter, caused the cursed woman and her servants to be pulled out of the house, and enforced by pain of torment to confess the verity, which being known, this mischievous woman, far less than she deserved, but because there could be no more cruel a death invented for the quality of her offence, was condemned to be caten of wild beasts: behold with this woman was I appointed to have to do before the face of all the people, but I being wrapped in great anguish, and envying the day of the triumph, when we two should so abandon ourselves together, devised rather to 〈◊〉 myself, then to pollute my body with this mischievous harlot, and so for ever to remain defamed, but it was impossible for me to do, considering that I lacked hands, & was not able to hold a knife in my hooves: howbeit standing in a pretty cabyn, I rejoiced in myself to see that spring time was come, & that all things flourished, & that I was in good hope to find some roses, to render me to my humane shape. When the day of the triumph came, I was led with great pomp and magnificence to the appointed place, whither when I was brought, I first saw the preamble of the triumph, dedicated with dancers and merry tenanting jests, 
Here the trinuph is expressed.  and I in the mean season, was placed before the gate of the Theatre, whereas on the one side, I saw the green and fresh grass growing before the entry thereof, whereon I greatly desired to feed: On the other side I conceived a great delectation to see when the Theatre gates were opened, how all things was finely prepared & set forth: For there I might see young children and maidens in the flower of their youth, of excellent beauty, and attired gorgeously, dancing & moving in comely order, according to the order of Grecia, for sometime they would dance in length, sometime round together, sometime divide themselves in four parts, & sometime lose hands on every side, but when the trumpet gave warning that every man should retire to his place: Then began the triumph to appear. First there was a hill of wood, not much unlike that which the Poet Homer called Idea, for it was garnished about with all sort of green verdures and lively trees, from the top whereof ran down a clear & fresh fountain, nourishing the waters below, about which wood were many young & tender Goats, plucking & feeding daintily on the budding trees, than came a young man a shéepeherde representing Paris, richly arrayed with vestments of Barbary, having a mitre of gold upon his head, & seeming as though he kept y● goats. After him ensued an other young man all naked, saving that his left shoulder was covered with a rich cloak, and his head shining with glistering hears, & hanging down, through which you might perceive two little wings, whereby you might conjecture that he was Mercury with his rod called Caduceus, he bore in his right hand an apple of gold, and with a seemly gate went towards him that represented Paris, and after that he had delivered him the apple, he made a sign signifying that jupiter had commanded him so to do, when he had done his message, he departed away: And by and by, behold there approached a fair & comely maiden, not much unlike to juno, for she had a Diadem of gold upon her head, and in her hand she bore a regal Sceptre: then followed an other resembling Pallas, for she had on her head a shining sallett, whereon was bound a garland made of Olive branches, having in one hand a target or shield, and in the other a spear as though she would fight: then came an other, which passed the other in beauty, & represented the goddess Venus, with the colour of Ambrosia, when she was a maiden, and to the end she would show her perfect beauty, she appeared all naked, saving that her fine and dainty skin was covered with a thin smock, which the wind blewe hither and thither, to testify the youth and flower of the age of the Dame, her colour was of two sorts, for her body was white, as descended from heaven, & her smock was bluish as arrived from the sea: After every one of the virgins which seemed Goddesses, followed certain waiting servants, Castor and Pollux went behind juno, having on their heads helmets covered with stars. This virgin juno swooned a feewte, which she bore in her hand, and moved herself towards the shéepeherd Paris, showing by honest signs and tokens, and promising that he should be Lord of all Asia, if he would judge her the fairest of the three, & to give her the apple of gold: The other maiden which seemed by her armour to be Pallas, was accompaigned with two young men, armed and brandishing their naked swords in their hands, whereof one was named Terror, and the other Fear, behind them approached one sounding his trumpet to provoke and stir men to battle, this maiden began to dance and shake her head, throwing her fierce and terrible eyes upon Paris, and promising that if it pleased him, to give her the victory of beauty, she would make him the most strong & victorious man alive. Then came Venus and presented herself in the middle of the Theatre, with much favour of all the people, for she was accompaigned with a great number of youth, whereby you would have judged them to be all Cupid's, either to have flown from heaven, or else from the river of the sea, for they had wings, arrows, and the residue of their habit according in each point, & they bore in their hands, torches lighted, as though it had been a day of marriage, than came in a great multitude of fair maidens: On the one side were the most comely Graces: on the other side the most beautiful Hours, carrying garlands and lose flowers, & making great honour to the Goddess of pleasure, the flewtes, and pipes yielded out the sweet sound of Lydians, whereby they pleased the minds of the standers by exceedingly, but the more pleasing Venus moved forward more and more, & shaking her head, answered by her motion and gesture, to the sound of the instruments: For sometimes she would wink gently, sometimes threaten and look asperly, and sometime dance only with her eyes: Assoon as she was come before the judge, she made a sign and token to give him the most fairest spouse of all the world, if he would prefer her above the residue of the Goddesses, than the young Phrygian shéepeherde Paris, 
The offer of love, passed kingdoms and treasure.  with a willing mind delivered the Golden apple to Venus, which was the Victory of beauty. Why do ye marvel ye Orators, ye Lawyers, & Advocates, if many of our judges now a days sell their judgements for money, when as in the beginning of the world, one only Grace corrupted the sentence between God and men, and that one rustical judge and shéepeherde, appointed by the counsel of the great jupiter, sold his judgement for a little pleasure, which was the cause afterward of the ruin of all his progeny: by like manner of mean was sentence given between the noble Greeks: For the noble and valiant parsonage Palamades was convicted and atteinted of treason, by false persuasion and accusation, and Ulysses being but of base condition, was preferred in Martial prowess above great Ajax, what judgement was there likewise amongst the Atheman lawyers, sage and expert in all sciences, was not Socrates who was preferred by the God Apollo above all the wisemen of the world, by envy and malice of wicked persons, empoisoned with the herb Cicuta, as one that corrupted the youth of the country, whom always he kept under by correction: For we see now a days many excellent Philosophers greatly desire to follow his sect, and by perpetual study to volue and revolve his works, but t● the end I may not be reproved of indignation, by any one that might say, what shall we suffer an Ass to play the Philosopher? I will return to my former purpose. After the judgement of Paris was ended, juno & Pallas departed away angrily, showing by their gesture that they would revenge themselves on Paris, but Venus that was right pleased and glad in her heart, danced about the Theatre with much joy. This done from the top of the hill through a privy spout, ran a blood of the colour of Saffran, which fell upon the Goats, & changed their white hear into yellow, with a soot odour to all them of the Theatre. By & by after, by certain engines, the ground opened & swallowed up the hill of wood: and then behold there came a man of arms thorough the middle of y● multitude, demanding by the consent of the people, the woman who was condemned to the beasts, & appointed for me to have to do withal: our bed was finely & bravely prepared, & covered with silk & other things necessary, but I beside the shame to commit this horrible fact, & to pollute my body with this wicked harlot, did greatly fear the danger of death: For I thought in myself, that when she & I were together, the favage beast appointed to devour the woman, was not so instructed & taught, or would so temper his greediness, as y● he would tear her in pieces lying under me, and spare me with a regard of mine innocency. Wherefore I was more careful for the saluegarde of my life, them for the shame that I should abide, but in the mean season while my master made ready the bed, and all the residue did greatly delight to see the hunting and pleasantness of the triumph, I began to think and devise for myself, and when I perceived that no man had regard to me, that was so tame and gentle an Ass, I stole out of the gate that was next me, and then I ran away with all my force, and came to Cenchris, which is the most famous town of all the Carthaginiens, bordering upon the seas called Ageum and Saronicum, where is a great & mighty haven frequented with many a sundry nation. There because I would avoid the multitude of people, I went to a secret place of the sea cost, where I lay me down upon the sand to ease and refresh myself, for the day was passed and the Sun gone down, and I lying in this sort on the ground did fall in a sound sleep.    

The eleventh Book of Lucius Apuleius of the Golden Ass.  

¶ How Apuleius by Roses and prayer, returned to his humane shape.  
Cap. 47.  
WHen midnight came, that I had slept my first sleep, I awaked with sudden fear, and saw the Moon shining bright, as when she is at the full, and seeming as though she leapt out of the Sea. Then I thought with myself that, that was the most secret time, when the Goddess Ceres had most puissance and force, considering that all humane things be governed by her providence: And not only all beasts private and tame, but also all wild and savage beasts be under her protection: And considering that all bodies in the heavens, the earth, and the seas be by her encresinge motions increased, and by her diminishing motions diminished: as weary of all my cruel fortune and calamity, I found good hope and sovereign remedy, though it were very late, to be delivered from all my misery, by invocation & prayer to the excellent beauty of the Goddess: whom I saw shining before mine eyes, wherefore shaking of mine Assy and drowsy sleep I arose with a joyful face, and moved by a great affection to purify myself, I plunged my head seven times into the water of the sea, which number of senen is convenable and agreeable to holy and divine things, as the worthy and sage philosopher Pythagoras hath declared. Then with a weeping countenance, I made this orison to the puissant Goddess, saying: O blessed queen of heaven, 
The Ass' prayer to the Moon.  whether thou be the Dame Ceres which art the original & motherly nurse of all fruitful things in the earth, who after the finding of thy daughter Proserpina, through the great joy which thou didst presently conceive, madest the barren & unfruictful ground to be ploughed and sown, and now thou inhabitest in the land of Eleusie, or whether thou be the celestial Venus, who in the beginning of the world didst couple together all kind of things which an engendered love, and by an eternal propagation of humane kind, art now worshipped within the Temples of the isle Paphos, thou which art the sister of the god Phoebus, who nourishest so many people by the generation of beasts, & art now adored at the sacred places of Ephesis, thou which art called horrible Proserpina, by reason of the deadly houlinges which y● yeldest, that hast power to stop & put away the invasion of hedges and ghosts which appear unto men, & to keep them down in y● closures of the earth: thou which art worshipped in divers manners, & dost luminate all the borders of the earth by thy feminine shape, thou which nourishest all the fruits of the world by thy vigour & force, with what so ever name or fashion it is lawful to call upon thee, I pray thee to end my great travel and misery, and deliver me from the wretched fortune which hath so long time pursued me. Grant peace and rest if it please thee to my adversities, for I have endured to to much labour and peril. Remove from me the shape of mine Ass, & tender me to my pristine estate: and if I have offended in any point thy divine Majesty let me rather die then live, for I am full weary of my life. When I had ended this orison, & discovered my plaints to the Goddess, I fortuned to fall sleep and by and by appeared to me a divine and venerable face, worshipped even of the Gods themselves: Then by little and little I seemed to see the whole figure of her body, mounting out of the sea and standing before me: wherefore I purpose to describe her divine semblance, if y● poverty of my humane speech will suffer me, or her divine power give me eloquence thereto. First she had a great abundance of hear, dispersed & scattered about her neck, on the crown of her head she bore many garlands interlaced with flowers, in the middle of her forehead, was a compass in fashion of a glass, or resembling y● light of the moon, in one of her hands she bore serpents, in the other blades of corn, her vestment was of fine silk yielding divers colours, sometime white, sometime yellow, sometime rosy, sometime flamy, & sometime (which troubled my spirit sore) dark & obscure covered with a black rob in manner of a shield, & pleatted in most subtle fashion, at the skirts of her garment, the weltes appeared comely, where as here & there the stars glimpsed, & in the middle of them was placed the Moon, which shone like a flame of fire, round about the rob was a coron or garland made with flowers & fruits: In her right hand she had a timbrel of brass which gave a pleasant found, in her left hand she bore a cup of gold, out of the mouth whereof the serpent Aspis lifted up his head, with a swelling throat, her odoriferous feet were covered with shoes interlaced & wrought with victorious palm. Thus the divine shape breathing out the pleasant spice of fertile Arabia, dayned not with her divine voice to utter these words unto me: Behold Lucius I am come, 
The words of the God desk, to the Ass.  thy weeping & prayers hath moved me to secure thee, I am she that is the natural mother of all things, mistress and governess of all the Elements, the initial progeny of worlds, chief of the powers divine, Queen of heaven, the principal of the Gods celestial, the light of the Goddesses, at my will the planets of the air, the wholesome winds of the Seas, and the silences of Hell be disposed, my name, my divinity, is adored throughout all the world, in divers manners, in variable customs, and in many names, for the Phrigiens' call me the mother of the Gods: The athenians, Minerva: the Cipriens, Venus: the Candians, Diana: the Sicilians, Proserpina: the Eleusians, Ceres: some juno, other Bellona, other Hecate: and principally the Ethiopians which dwell in the Orient, and the Egyptians which are excellent in all kind of ancient doctrine, & by their proper ceremonies accustom to worship me, do call me Queen Isis: Behold I am come to take pity of thy fortune and tribulation, behold I am present to favour & aid thee, leave of thy weeping and lamentation, put away all thy sorrow, for behold the healthful day which is ordained by my providence, therefore be ready & attentive to my commandment, the day which shall come after this night, is dedicated to my service by an eternal Religion, my priests & ministers, do accustom after the tempests of the Sea be ceased, to offer in my name a new ship, as a first fruit of their navigation, I command thee, not to profane or despise the sacrifice in any wise, for the great Priest shall carry this day following in procession by my exhortation a garland of Roses next to the timbrel of his right hand: Fellow that my procession amongst the people, and when thou comest to the priest, make as though thou wouldst kiss his hand, but snatch at the roses, whereby I will put away the skin & shape of an Ass, 
The only help of the Ass.  which kind of beast I have long time abhorred and despised, but above all things beware thou doubt not nor fear of any of those things as hard & difficile to be brought to pass, for in this same hour that I am come to thee, I have commanded the Priest by a vision what he shall do, & all the people by my commandment shallbe compelled to give thee place & say nothing, moreover think not that amongst so fair & joyful ceremonies. & in so good a company, that any person shall abhor thy ill-favoured and deform figure, or that any man shallbe so hardy, as to blame & reprove thy sudden restoration to humane shape, whereby they should gather or conceive any sinister opinion, and know thou this of certainty that the residue of thy life until the hour of death shallbe bound & subject to me: And think it not an injury to be always serviceable towards me, since as by my mean and benefit thou shalt become a man: thou shalt live blessed in this world, thou shalt live glorious by my guide and protection, and when thou descendest to hell, where thou shalt see me in that subterre● place, shining (as thou seest me now) in the darkness of Acheron, and reigning in the deep profunditte of Styx, thou shalt worship me as one that hath been favourable to thee, and if I perceive that thou art obedient to my commandment, addict to my religion, and merit my divine grace, know thou that I will prolong thy days above the time that the fates have appointed, and the celestial planets ordained. When the divine image had spoken these words, she vanished away: By and by, when I awaked I arose, having the members of my body mixed with fear, joy, and sweat, and marveled at the clear presence of the puissant goddess, and being sprinkled with the water of the Sea, I recounted orderly her admonitions and divine commandments. Sun after, the darkness chased away, and the clear and golden Sun arose, when as behold, I saw the streets replenished with people, going in a religious sort, & in great triumph. All things seemed that day to be joyful, as well all manner of beasts, and the very houses, as also the very day itself seemed to rejoice. For after the horefrost, ensued the hot and temperate Sun, whereby the little birds weening that the spring time had been come, did chirp and sing in their steven melodiously: The mother of stars, the parent of times and mistress of all the world: The fruitful trees rejoiced at their fertility: The barren and sterile were contented at their shadow, rendering sweet and pleasant shrilles: The seas were quiet from winds and tempests: The heaven had chased away the clouds, and appeared fair and clear with his proper light. Behold, then more and more appeared the pomps and processions, attired in regal manner, and singing joyfully: One was girded about the middle like a man of arms: An other bore a spear, and had a cloak and high shoes as a hunter: an other was attired in a roobe of silk, and socks of gold, having his hear laid out, and dressed in form of a woman: There was an other which ware legharnes, & bore a target, a salad, & a spear, like a martial soldier: After him marched one attired in purple, with vergers before him like a Magistrate: After him followeth one with a mantel, a staff, a pair of pautofles, and with a grey beard, signifying a Philosopher: After him went one with lime, betokening a fowler, An other with hooks, declaring a fisher. I saw there a meek and tame bear, which in matron habit was carried on a stole: An Ape with a bonnet on his head, and covered with lawn resembling a shéepeherde, and bearing a cup of gold in his hand: An Ass which had wings glued to his back, and went after an old man, whereby you would judge, the one to be Pegasus, and the other Bellephoron. Amongst these pleasures and popular delectations, which wandered hither and thither. You might see the pampe of the Goddess triumphantly march forward: The women attired in white vestments, and rejoicing in that they bore garlands and flowers upon their heads, bespread the ways with herbs, which they bore in their aprons, where this regal and devout procession should pass. Other carried glasses on their backs, to testify obeisance and honour to the Goddess which came after. Other bare combs of ivory, and declared by their gesture & motions of their arms, that they were ordained and ready to dress the Goddess. Other dropped in the ways as they went, balm and other precious ointments: Then came a great number, as well of men as of women, with candles, torches, and other lights, doing honour to y● celestial goddess: After that sounded the musical armonie of instruments: Then came a fair company of youth, appareled in white vestiments, singing both metre & verse, with a comely grace which some studious Poet had made in honour of the Muses. In the mean season, arrived the blowers of trumpets, which were dedicated unto Serapis, & to the temple before them, were officers & beadles, preparing room for the goddess to pass. Then came the great company of men & women, which had taken divine orders, whose garments glistned all the streets over. The women had their hear anointed, & their heads covered with linen: but the men had their crowns shaven, which were the terren stars of the goddess, holding in their hands instruments of brass, silver, & gold, which rendered a pleasant sound. The principal priests, which were apparelled with white surplice hanging down to that ground, bare that relics of that puissant goddess. One carried in his hand a light, not unlike to those which we used in our houses, saving that in the middle thereof appeared a bull which rendered a more bright flame. The second attired like the other, bare in his hands an altar, which the goddess herself named the succour of nations. The third held up a tree of palm, with leaves of gold, & the verge of Mercury. The fourth showed out a token of equity by his left hand, which was deformed in every place, signifying thereby more equity then by the right hand. The same priest carried a round vessel of gold, in form of a cap. The fift bore a Van, wrought with springs of gold, and an other carried a vessel for wine: By and by after, the goddess followed a foot as men do, and specially Mercury, the messenger of the Goddess infernal and supernal, with his face sometime black, sometime fair, lifting up the head of the dog Ambis, and bearing in his left hand his verge, and in his right hand, the branch of a palm tree, after whom followed a cow with an upright gate, representing the figure of the great Goddess, and he that guided her, marched on with much gravity. And other carried after the secrets of their religion, closed in a coffer. There was one that bore on his stomach the figure of his God, not form like any beast, bird, savage thing, or humane shape, but made by a new invention, whereby was signified that such a religion should not be discovered, or revealed to any person. There was a vessel wrought with a round bottom, having on the one side pictures figured like unto the manner of the Egyptians, and on the other side was an ear, whereupon stood the serpent Aspis, holding out his skaly neck. Finally, came he which was appointed to my good fortune, according to the promiss of the goddess. For the great priest which bore the restoration of my humane shape, by the commandment of the goddess, approached more and more, bearing in his left hand the timbrel, and in the other a garland of roses to give me, to th'end I might be delivered from cruel fortune, which was always mine enemy, after the sufferance of so much calamity and poine, and after the endurance of so many perils: Then I, not running hastily, by reason of sudden joy, lest I should disturb the quiet procession with mine importunity: But going softly through the press of people, which gave me place on every side, went after the priest. The priest being admonished the night before, as I might well perceive, stood still, and holding out his hand, thrust out the garland of roses into my mouth, which I (trembling) devoured with a great affection: And assoon as I had eaten them, I was not deceived of the promise made unto me. For my deform and Assy face abated, and first the rugged hear of my body fell of, my thick skin waxed soft and tender, the hooves of my feet changed into toes, my hands returned again, my neck grew short, my head & mouth became round, my long ears were made little, my great and stony teeth waxed less like the teeth of men, and my tail which cumbered me most, appeared no where, them the people began to marvel, and the religious honoured the Goddess for so evident a miracle, they wondered at the visions which they saw in the night, and the facility of my reformation, whereby they rendered testimony of so great a benefit which I received of the Goddess, when I saw myself in such estate, I stood still a good space and said nothing, for I could not tell what to say, nor what word I should first speak, nor what thanks I should render to the Goddess, but the great priest understanding all my fortune and misery by divine advertisement, commanded that one should give me garments to cover me: Howbeit assoon as I was transformed from an Ass to my humane shape, I hid the privities of my body with my hands as shame and necessity compelled me: Then one of the company put of his upper rob, and put it on my back, which done: the Priest looking upon me with a sweet and benign voice, gan say in this sort: O my friend Lucius, after the endurance of so many labours, & the escape of so many tempests of fortune, thou art now at length come to the port & haven of rest and mercy: Neither did thy noble lineage, thy dignity, neither thy doctrine any thing prevail, but that thou hast endured so many servile pleasures, by a little folly of thy youthfulness, whereby thou hast had a sinister reward of thy unprosperous curiosity, but howsoever the blindness of fortune tormented thee in divers dangers: So it is that now unwares to her, thou art come to this present felicity, let fortune go, & fume with fury in an other place, let her find some other matter to execute her cruelty, for fortune hath no puissance against them which serve and honour our Goddess, for what availed the thieves? the beasts savage? thy great servitude? the ill & dangerous ways? the long passages? the fear of death every day? know thou that now thou art salve, and under the protection of her, who by her clear light doth lighten the other Gods: wherefore rejoice, and take a convenable countenance to thy white habit, follow the pomp of this devout & honourable procession, to the end the such which be not devout to the Goddess, may see & acknowledge their error. Behold Lucius thou art delivered from so great miseries, by the providence of the Goddess Isis, rejoice therefore and triumph of the victory of fortune, to the end thou mayst live more salve and sure, make thyself one of this holy order, dedicate thy mind to the obsequy of our religion, & take upon thee a voluntary yoke of ministery: And when thou beginnest to serve and honour the Goddess, then shalt thou feel the fruit of thy liberty: After that the great Priest had prophesied in this manner, with often brethinges, he made a conclusion of his words: Then I went amongst the company of the rest and followed the procession: Every one of the people knew me, & pointing at me with their fingers, said in this sort: behold him who is this day transformed into a man by the puissance of the sovereign Goddess, verily he is blessed and most blessed that hath merited so great grace from heaven, as by the innocency of his former life, and as it were by a new regeneration is reserved to the obsequy of the Goddess. In the mean season by little and little we approached nigh unto the sea coast, even to that place where I lay the night before being an Ass. There, after the images & relics were orderly disposed, the great Priest compassed about with divers pictures according to the fashion of the Egyptians, did dedicate & consecrate with certain prayers a fair ship made very cunningly, & purified the same with a torch, an egg, & sulphur, the sail was of white linen cloth, whereon was written certain letters, which testified the navigation to be prosperous, the mast was of a great length made of a pine tree, round, & very excellent with a shining top, the cabin was covered over with coverings of gold, & all the ship was made of Citron tree very fair, than all the people aswell religious as profane took a great number of Vannes replenished with odours & pleasant smells, and threw them into the sea mingled with milk, until the ship was filled up with large gifts and prosperous devotions, when as with a pleasant wind it launched out into the deep: but when they had lost the sight of the ship, every man carried again that which he brought, and went toward the Temple in like pomp and order as they came to the sea side. When we were come to the Temple, the great Priest and those which were deputed to carry the divine figures, but specially those which had long time been worshippers of the Religion, went into the secret chamber of the Goddess, where they put & placed the Images according to their order. This done one of the company which was a Scribe or interpreter of letters, who in form of a preacher, stood up in a chair before the place of the holy college, & began to read out of a book, & to interpret to the great Prince, the Senate, and to all the noble order of Chivalry, and generally to all the Roman people, and to all such as be under the puissance and jurisdiction of Rome, these words following, 
Populis missio.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which signified the end of their divine service, and that it was lawful for every man to departed, whereat all the people gave a great shout, & replenished with much joy, bore all kind of herbs and garlands of flowers home to their houses, kissing and embracing the steps where the Goddess passed: howbeit I could not do as the rest, for my mind would not suffer me to depart one foot away, so earnest and attentive was I to behold the beauty of the Goddess, with remembrance likewise of my great travel and misery, which I had endured.   

¶ How the Parents and friends of Apuleius, hard news that he was alive and in health.  
Cap. 48.  
IN the mean season news was carried into my country (as swift as the flight of birds, or as the blast of winds) of the grace and benefit which I received of the goddess, and of my fortune worthy to be had in memory. Then my parents, friends, & servants of our house, understanding that I was not dead as they were falsely informed, came towards me with great diligence to see me, as a man raised from death to life: And I likewise which did never think to see them again, was as joyful as they, accepting and taking in good part, their honest gifts and oblations which they gave, to the intent I might buy such things as was necessary for my body: After that I had made relation unto them of all my pristine misery, & present joys, I went again before the face of the Goddess, and hired me a house within the cloisture of the temple, to the end I might continually be ready to the service of the Goddess, and ordinarily frequent the company of the priests, whereby I would wholly become devout to the Goddess, and an inseparable worshipper of her divine name: It fortuned that the Goddess appeared to me oftentimes in the night, persuading and commanding me to take the order of her religion, but I although I was endued with a desirous good will, yet the reverend fear of the same withheld me, considering that her obeisance was hard and difficile, the chastity of the priests intolerable, and the life frail & subject to many inconveniences, being thus in doubt I refrained myself from all those things, as seeming impossible: On a night the great Priest appeared unto me presenting his lap full of treasure, and when I demanded what it signified, he answered that it was sent me from the country of Thessaly, and that a servant of mine named Candidus was arrived like wise: when I was awaked, I mused in myself what this viston should portend, considering I never had any servant called by that name: but whatsoever it did signify, this I verily thought that it was afore show of gain & prosperous chance: while I was thus astonished I went to the Temple, and tarried there till the opening of the gates, than I went in, & began to pray before the face of the Goddess, the Priest prepared and set the divine things on every Aultour, & pulled out of the fountain the holy vessel with solemn supplication. Then they began to sing the matins of the morning, testifying thereby the hour of the prime. By and by behold arrived my servants which I had left in the country, when Fotis by error made me an Ass, bringing with them my horse, recovered by her through certain signs and tokens which he had upon his back. Then I perceived the enterpretation of my dream, by reason that beside the promiss of gain, my white horse was restored to me, which was signified by the argument of my servant Candidus. This done I retired to the service of the Goddess in hope of greater benefits, considering I had received a sign and token, whereby my courage increased every day more & more to take upon me the orders and Sacraments of the Temple: In so much that I oftentimes communed with the Priest, desiring him greatly to give me the first degree of the Religion, but he which was a man of gravity, & well renowned in y● order of priesthood, differed my affection from day to day with comfort of better hope, as parents commonly bridle the desires of their children, when they attempt or endeavour any unprofitable thing, saying: that the day, when any one should be admitted into their order, is appointed by the Goddess, the Priest which should minister the sacrifice, is chosen by her providence, and the necessary charges of the ceremovies, is allotted by her commandment, all which things he willed me to attend with marvelous patience, and that I should beware either of to much hastiness or to great slackness, considering that there was like danger, if being called I should delay, or not called I should be hasty: moreover he said, that there was none of his company either of so desperate a mind, or so rash and hardy as to enterprise any thing without the commandment of the Goddess, whereby he should commit a deadly offence, considering that it was in her power to damn & save all persons, and if any were at the point of death and in the way to damnation, so that he were capable to receive the secrets of the Goddess, it was in her power by divine providence to reduce him to the path of health, as by a certain kind of regeneration: Finally he said that I must attend the celestial precept, although it was evident and plain that the Goddess had already vouchsafed to call and appoint me to her ministry, and to will me to refrain from profane & unlawful meats, as those priests which were already received, to the end I might come more apt & clean to the knowledge of the secrets of the religion. Then I was obedient unto these words, and attentive with meek quietness, & probable taciturnity, I daily served at the temple: in the end the wholesome gentleness of the goddess did nothing deceive me, for in a night she appeared to me in a vision, declaring y● the day was come which I had wished for so long, she told me what provision and charges I should be at, and how that she had appointed her principal priest Mithra to be a minister with me in my sacrifices. When I had hard these divine commandments I greatly rejoiced, and arose before day to speak with the great priest, whom I fortuned to espy coming out of his chamber: Then I saluted him, and thought with myself to ask and demand his counsel with a bold courage, but assoon as he perceived me, he began first to say: O Lucius now know I well that thou are most happy and blessed, whom the divine goddess doth so greatly accept with mercy, why dost y● delay: Behold the day which thou didst desire, when as thou shalt receive at my hands the order of religion, & know y● most pure secrets of the goddess, whereupon the old man took me by the hand, & led me to the gate of the great temple, where at his first entry he made a solemn celebration, and after that the morning sacrifice was ended, he brought out of the secret place of the temple certain books, partly written with unknown characters, and partly peincted with figures of beasts, declarings briefly every sentence, with tops and tails turned round in fashion of a wheel, which were wholly strange & impossible to be read of the profane people: There he enterpreted to me such things as were necessary to the use and preparation of mine order. This done, I gave in charge to certain of my companions to buy liberaly what so ever was needful and convenient, than he brought me to the next baynes, accompanied with all the religious sort, and demanding pardon of the Gods, washed me and purified my body according to the custom: After this when noon approached he brought me back again to the Temple, and presented me before the face of the Goddess, giving a charge of certain secret things unlawful to be uttered, and commanding me, and generally all the rest, to fast by the space of ten continual days, without eating of any beast, or drinking of any wine, which things I observed with a marvelous continency. Then behold the day approached, when as the sacrifice should be done, & when night came there arrived on every coast a great multitude of Priests, who according to their order offered me many presents and gifts, than was all the laity & profane people commanded to departed, & when they had put on my back a linen rob, they brought me to the most secret and sacred place of the Temple. You would peradventure demand, you studious reader, what was said and done there, verily I would tell you if it were lawful for me to tell, you should know if it were convenient for you to here, but both thy ears and my tongue shall incur the like pain of rash curiosity: Howbeit I will content thy mind for this present time, which peradventure is somewhat religious and given to some devotion, listen therefore & believe it to be true: thou shalt understand that I approached near unto Hell, even to the gates of Proserpina, & after that I was ravished throughout all the Elements, I returned to my proper place: About midnight I saw the son shine, I saw likewise the Gods celestial, and Gods infernal, before whom I presented myself and worshipped them: behold now have I told thee, which although thou hast hard, yet it is necessary that you conceal it, for this have I declared without offence, for the understanding of the profane. When morning came and that the solempnities were finished, I came forth sanctified with twelve ●toles & in a religious habit, whereof I am not forbidden to speak, considering that many persons saw me at that time: there I was commanded to stand upon a seat of wood which stood in the middle of the temple, before the figure and remembrance of the Goddess, my vestment was of fine linen, covered & embroidered with flowers, I had a precious cope upon my shoulders hanging down to the ground, whereon were beasts wrought of divers colours, as Indian Dragons, & Hyperborean Gryphones, whom in form of brides the other world doth engender, the Priests commonly call such a habit, a celestial Stole: in my right hand I carried a light torch, and a garland of flowers upon my head, with Palm leaves stroutinge out on every side: I was adorned like unto the Sun, and made in fashion of an Image, in such sort that all the people compassed about to behold me: Then they began to solemnize the feast of my nativity, and the new procession with sumptuous banquets and delicate meats: the third day was likewise celebrate with like ceremonies, with a religious dinner, and with all the consummation of the order, when I had continued there a good space I conceived a marvelous pleasure and consolation in beholding ordinarily the Image of the goddess, who at length admonished me to depart homeward, not without rendringe of thanks, which although were not sufficient, yet they were according to my power: How be it I could uneath be persuaded to departed, before I had fallen prostrate before the face of the Goddess, and wiped her steps with my face, whereby I began so greatly to weep and sigh, that my words were interrupted, and as devouring my prayer I began to say in this sort: O holy & blessed Dame, the perpetual comfort of humane kind, who by thy bounty and grace nourishest all the world, and bearest a great affection to the adversities of the miserable as a loving mother, thou takest no rest, neither art thou idle at any time in giving thy benefits, and succoringe all men aswell on land as sea, thou art she that puttest away all storms and dangers from man's life by thy right hand, whereby likewise thou restraynest the fatal dispositions, appeasest the great tempests of fortunes, and kéepest back the course of the stars, the Gods supernal doth honour thee: the Gods infernal hath thee in reverence: thou enuironest all the world, thou givest light to the Sun, thou governest the world, thou treadest down the power of Hell: By thy mean the times return, the Planets rejoice, the Elements serve: at thy commandment the winds do blow, the clouds increase, the seeds prosper, and the fruits prevail, the birds of the air, the beasts of the hill, the Serpents of the den, and the fishes of the sea, do tremble at thy majesty, but my spirit is not able to give thee sufficient praise, my patrimony is unable to satisfy thy sacrifice, my voice hath no power to utter that which I think, no if I had a thousand mouths and so many tongues: How be it as a good religious person, and according to my estate, I will always keep thee in remembrance, and close thee within my breast. When I had ended mine orison, I went to embrace the great Priest Mithra my spiritual Father and to demand his pardon, considering I was unable to recompense the good which he had done me: After great gréetinges & thanks I departed from him to visitte my parents & friends. And within a while after by the exhortation of the Goddess, I made up my packquette and took shipping towards the City of Rome, where, with a prosperous wind I arrived about the twelve day of December. And the greatest desire which I had there was daily to make my prayers to y● sovereign Goddess Isis, who by reason of the place where her temple was builded, was called Campensis, & continually adored of the people of Rome: Her minister & worshipper was I howbeit I was a stranger to her Church, & unknown to her religion there: When the year was ended, & that the Goddess warned me again to receive this new order & consecration, I marveled greatly what it should signify, & what should happen, considering that I was a sacred person already. But it fortuned that while I partly reasoned with myself, and partly examined the thing with the Priests & Bishops, there came a new & marvelous thought to my mind, that is to say: I was only religious to the goddess Isis, but not sacred to the religion of great Osiris the sovereign Father of all the Gods, between whom, although there was a religious unity and concord, yet there was a great difference of order and ceremony. And because it was necessary that I should likewise be a minister unto Osiris, there was no long delay: For in the night after appeared unto me one of that order, covered with linen robes, holding in his hands spears wrapped in yu●e, and other things not convenient to declare, which he left in my chamber, and sitting in my seat, 〈◊〉 to me such things as were necessary for the sumptuons banquet of mine entry. And to the end I might know him again, he showed me how the ankle of his left foot was somewhat maimed, which caused him a little to halt. After that I did manifestly know the will of the God Osiris, when Matins was ended, I went from one to an other to find him out which had the halting mark of his foot, according as I learned by my vision, at length I found it true: for I perceived one of the company of the Priests who had not only the token of his foot, but the stature and habit of his body, resembling in every point as he appeared in the night, he was called Asinius Marcellus, 
Asinius by taking away the letter i. is made Asinus.  a name not much disagreeing from my transformation, by and by I wennte to him, which knew well enough all the matter, as being monished by like precept in the night: for the night before as he dressed the flowers and garlands about the head of that God Osiris, he understood by the mouth of his Image, which told the predestinations of all men, how he had sent a poor man of Madaura, to whom he should minister his sacraments, to the end that he should receive a reward by divine providence, and the other glory, for his virtuous studies, when I saw myself thus deputed unto religion, my desire was stopped by reason of poverty, for I had spent a great part of my goods in travel and peregrination, but most of all in the city of Rome, whereby my low estate withdrew me a great while: In the end, being oftentimes stirred forward, not without great trouble of mind, I was constrained to sell my robe for a little money: howbeit, sufficient for all my affairs. Then the Priest spoke unto me, saying: How is it that for a little pleasure thou art not afeard to sell thy vestiments, and entering into so great ceremonies, dost fear to fall into poverty▪ prepare thyself, and abstain from all animal meats, as beasts and fish. In the mean season I did frequent the sacrifices of Serapis, which were done in y● night, which thing gave me great comfort to my peregrination, and ministered unto me more plentiful living, considering I gained some money in haunting to the court, by reason of my latin tongue. Immediately after, I was eftsoons called and admonished by the god Osiris, to receive a third order of Religion. Then I was greatly astonished, because I could not tell what this new vision signified, or what the intent of the Celestial Gods was, doubting lest the former Priests had given me ill council, and fearing that they had not faithfully instructed me, being in this manner as it were incensed. The God Osiris, appeared to me the night! following, and giving me admonition, saying: There is no occasion why thou shouldest be afeard with so often order of Religion, as though there were somewhat omitted, but that thou shouldest rather rejoice, since as it hath pleased the Gods to call thee three times, when as there was never yet any person that achieved to the order but once: Wherefore thou mayst think thyself most happy for so great benefits. And know thou that the Religion which thou must now receive, is right necessary, if thou mean to persever in the worshipping of the Goddess and to make solemnity on the festival day with thy blessed habit, which thing shallbe a glory and renown to thee. After this sort the divine majesty persuaded me in my sleep, whereupon by and by I went towards the Priest, and declared all that which I had seen, than I fasted the space of ten days according to the custom, and of mine own proper will I abstained longer than I was commanded: And verily I did nothing repent of the pain which I had taken, & of the charges which I was at, considering that the divine providence had given me such an order that I gained much money in pleading of causes: Finally after a few days the great God Osiris appeared to me in the night, not disguised in any other form but in his own essence, commanding me that I should be an Advocate in the court, & not fear the slander & envy of ill persons, which bore me stomach & grudge by reason of my doctrine, which I had gotten by much labour: moreover he would not that I should be any longer of the number of his Priests, but he allotted me to be one of the Decurious & Senators: and after he appointed me a place within the ancient Palace, which was erected in the time of Silla, whereas I executed mine office in great joy with a shaven crown.   
FINIS.   


❧ The Table of the first Book of Lucius Apuleius of the Golden Ass.  
How Apuleius riding into Thessaly, fortuned to fall into company with two strangers, that reasoned together of the mighty power of Witches. Cap. 1. fol. 1.  
How Apulcius told to the two strangers, what he saw a juglar do in Athens. Cap. 2. fol. 1.  
How Socrates in his return from Macedon to Larissa, was spoiled and rob, and how he fell acquainted with one Meroe, a Witch. Cap. 3. fol. 3.  
How Meroe the Witch turned divers persons into miserable Beasts. Cap. 4.  
How Socrates and Aristomenus slept together in one chamber, and how they were handled by Witches. Cap. 5. fol. 5.  
How Apuleius came to a City called Hipate, and was lodged in one Malos house, and brought him letters from Demea of Corinth. Cap. 6. fol. 9  
How Apuleius going to buy Fish met with his companion Pythias. Cap. 7. fol. 10.   

¶ The second Book.  
¶ How Apuleius fortuned to meet with his cofin Byrrhena. Cap. 8. fol. 12.  
How Apuleius fell into love with Fotis. Cap. 9 fol. 14.  
How Birrhena sent victuals unto Apuleius, and how he talked with Milo of Diophanes, and how he lay with Fotis. Cap. 10. fol. 16.  
How Apuleius supped with Birrhena, and what a strange tale Bellephoron told at the table. Cap. 11. fol. 18.   

¶ The third Book.  
¶ How Apuleius was taken and put in prison for Murder. Cap. 12. fol. 24.  
How Apuleius was accused by an old man, and how he answered for himself. Cap. 13. fol. 24.  
How Apuleius was accused by two women, and how the slain bodies were found blown bladders. Cap. 14. fol. 26.  
How Fotis told to Apuleius, what Witchecrafte her Mistress did use. Cap. 15. fol. 28.  
How Fotis brought Apuleius to see her Mistress Enchant. Cap. 16. fol. 31.  
How Apuleius thinking to be turned into a Bird, was turned in to an Ass, and how he was led away by thieves. Cap. 17. fol. 32.   

¶ The fourth Book.  
¶ How Apuleius thinking to go to eat Roses, was cruelly beaten by a Gardener and chased by Dogs. ca 18. fol. 34.  
How Apuleius was prevented of his purpose, and how the thieves came to their den. Cap. 19 fol. 35.  
How Thrasileon was disguised in a bears skin, and how he was handled. Cap. 20. fol. 39  
How the thieves stole away a Gentelwoman, and brought her to their den. Cap. 21. fol. 41.  
The most pleasant and delectable tale of the Marriage of Cupid and Psyche's. Cap. 22. fol. 45.  
How Apuleius carried away the Gentlewoman, and how they were taken again by the thieves, and what a kind of death was invented for them. Cap. 23. fol. 63.   

¶ The seventh Book.  
¶ How he that was left behind at Hippata to bring news concerning the robbery of Milos house, came home and declared to his compaignions' that all the fault was laid to one Apuleius charge. Cap. 24. fol. 66.  
How the death of the Ass, and the Gentelwoman was staid. Cap. 25. fol. 69.  
How all the thieves wear brought in a sleep by their new companion. Cap. 26. fol. 70.  
How the Gentlewoman was carried home by her husband while the thieves were a sleep, and how much Apuleius was made of. Cap. 27. fol. 71.  
How Apuleius was made a common Ass to fetch home wood, and how he was handled by a boy. Cap. 28. fol. 72.  
How Apuleius was accused of lechery by the Boy. Cap. 29. fol. 74.  
How the Boy that led Apuleius to the fields, was slain in the wood. Cap. 30. fol. 75.  
How Apuleius was cruelly beaten by the mother of the boy that was slain. Cap. 31. fol. 76.   

¶ The eight Book.  
¶ How a young man came and declared the miserable death of Lepolemus, and his wife Charites. Cap. 32. fol. 77.  
How Apuleius was led away by the horsekeeper, and what dangers he was in. Cap. 33. fol. 81.  
How the shepherds determined to abide in a certain wood to cure their wounds. Cap. 34. fol. 83.  
How a woman killed herself, and her child, because her husband haunted harlots. Cap. 35. fol. 84.  
How Apuleius was cheapened by divers persons, and how they looked in his mouth to know his age. Cap. 36. fol. 84.   

¶ The ninth Book.  
¶ How Apuleius saved himself from the Cook by breaking his halter, and of other things that happened. Cap. 37. fol. 87.  
Of the deceit of a woman, which made her husband Coockolde. Cap. 38. fol. 89.  
How the Priests of the goddess Syria, were taken and put in prison, and how Apuleius was sold to a Baker. Cap. 39 fol. 90.  
How Apuleius was handled by the Baker's wife, which was a harlot. Cap. 40. fol. 92.  
How Barbasus being jealous over his wife, commanded that she should be kept close in his house, and what happened. Cap. 41. fol. 93.  
How Apuleius after the Baker was hanged, was sold to a Gardener, and what dreadful things happened. Ca 42. fol. 97.  
How Apuleius was found die his shadow. Cap. 43. fol. 100   

¶ The tenth Book.  
¶ How the Soldier drove Apuleius away, and how he came to a Capitains' house: and what happened there. Cap. 44. fol. 102.  
How Apuleius was sold to two brethren, whereof one was a Baker, and the other a Cook, and how finely and daintily he fared. Cap. 45. fol. 106.  
How a certain Matron fell in love with Apuleius, and how he had his pleasure with her, and what other things happened. Cap. 46. fol. 109.   

¶ The eleventh Book.  
¶ How Apuleius by Roses and prayer, returned to his humane shape. Cap. 47. fol. 115.  
How the Parents and friends of Apuleius, hard news that he was alive and in health. Cap. 48. fol. 121.   
FINIS.